IFAQs
Business Start Up
Service-Disabled Veterans
Government Contract Basics
Contract Specifics
- 1. Can my spouse continue my SDVOSB as a SDVOSB after I die?
- 2. I am a large veteran-owned business - do I get a preference?
- 3. As a small business, if awarded a contract, how much of the work can be subcontracted?
- 4. Who can tell me where VA’s required implementation plan under E.O. 13360 is available?
- 5. GSA administers the Federal Supply Service (FSS) Multiple Award Schedule Program and has just undergone a major reorganization. The Federal Supply Schedule Service, which awards and administers contracts awarded under the FSS Program, has been renamed under this organization. What is the new name of this organization and what other organization has the Federal Supply Schedule Service been combined/merged with?
- 6. How many North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes can apply to an individual solicitation?
- 7. What if I think the contracting officer erred in selecting a specific NAICS Code? I’ve called this to the contracting officer’s attention and he/she disagrees that the code is incorrect, but it is an obvious error. What can I do as a small business since the contracting officer refuses to review a NAICS Code for the solicitation?
- 8. I have noticed that VA and other Federal contracting activities issue solicitations in the form of Request for Proposals (RFP),(Part 15) Request for Quotations (RFQ),(part 13) Invitation for Bids (a.k.a. “Sealed Bidding”)(Part 14) and “Combined Synopsis and Solicitations.”(Part 12) Can you please explain the principal differences of these types of solicitations?
- 9. Just about every time I look at acquisition opportunities in FedBizOpps, I notice VA opportunities have the shortest turnaround time from the time the requirements are synopsized and the closing date for the solicitation. When I call the contracting officer and ask the closing date/response time be extended, they refuse to do so. What do the regulations say is the minimum time that contracting officers have to allow for solicitation closing dates, do these vary by type of solicitation issued, and what discretion do contracting officers have in setting closing dates, if any?
- 10. What is the latest status of the Very Small Business Pilot Program?
- 11. The Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program (a.k.a. the “Comp Demo” Program), requires that acquisitions in the targeted industries must be conducted using full and open competition, i.e., cannot be set-aside for small businesses. What are the exceptions for setting aside acquisitions in the targeted industries?
- 12. How many targeted industries are there, and what are the specific industries?
Contract Reporting
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has no funds or authority to provide either small business grants or loans except through the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment “Self-Employment Track” program. Congress stopped the direct business loan assistance program for veterans in 1986. As a matter of fact, there are no direct loans to be had anywhere in government for starting or expanding a small business. The portal for any type of government grants (usually for research and development) can be found at www.grants.gov. The Department of Agriculture has USDA Rural Development grants and the Department of Commerce has Enterprise Zone grants. These funds typically go to the state governments and are dispersed through each state’s Department of Economic Development.
It was long ago determined that the most efficient and cost effective way for the government to provide small business loan assistance was via a cooperative program operated by commercial banks and various other lenders and the US Small Business Administration (SBA). It's called the Loan Guaranty Program. Here is a direct link to the SBA that provides you with facts about their various programs. Their overall site is a good one for studying the basics of small business development. www.govloans.gov
In any event, before you can best proceed before a bank or even with private investors you need to have a pretty comprehensive business plan. Depending on the nature of the business you wish to start or expand, your background experience, financial preparedness with risk capital and many other factors, it would not be uncommon to expect that a solid plan could take many months to create. We recommend that you ask a Small Business Development Center counselor to review your plan before you approach a lender.
(1). Credit history is an important aspect of a loan application because the bank uses this information to determine whether your personal credit is good. That is, do you pay your bills on time and are you delinquent on payments.
(2). The ability to repay the loan must be justified in your loan package. Banks want and need to see two sources of repayment, i.e., cash flow from the business and a secondary source such as collateral. For a new business, the cash flow data is reflected in your business plan through a thorough explanation of how the business will be able to repay the loan. For an established business, the bank will examine the business’s financial statements, which reflect both cash inflows and outflows. If the business has consistently made a profit and that profit can cover the payment of additional debt, then it is likely that the loan will be approved. If, however, the business has been operating marginally and now has a new opportunity to grow of if that business is a start-up, then it is necessary to prepare a thorough loan package with detailed explanation addressing how the business will be able to repay the loan.
(3) Collateral is typically the second source of repayment for which financial institutions look on loan applications. Collateral is personal or business assets that can be sold to pay back the loan. Every loan program, even many micro-loan programs, requires at least some collateral to secure a loan. If the potential borrower has no collateral to secure a loan, he or she will need a co-signer who has collateral to pledge. Otherwise it may be difficult to obtain a loan.
(4) Equity applies on a loan application for either new or established businesses. Financial institutions want to see a certain amount of equity in a business. For a new business, or change of ownership, equity represents the cash being injected by the owner(s) or outside investors. For an established business, equity is built up through retained earnings. Most banks what to see that the total liabilities or debt of a business is not more than 4 times the amount of equity.
By law, SBA places applications from veterans at the head of the list.
Your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will have a list of preferred lenders in your area. Call the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) toll free at 1-866-584-2344 to find the SBDC closest to you, or you can find one online at http://www.asbdc-us.org. The SBA has lists of both certified and preferred lenders.
Certified Lenders are the financial institutions that participate in the SBA guaranteed program and agree to SBA's conditions. In return, the SBA agrees to process any guaranteed loan application within three working days. Certified lenders account for one-third of all SBA loan guaranties.
Preferred Lenders are financial institutions chosen from among SBA's best lenders and have full delegation of lending authority for a lower rate of guaranty. Preferred lenders have a maximum SBA guarantee of 75%. Preferred lenders account for ten percent of SBA loans.
Intermediaries (which include non-profit organizations) are also selected by the SBA to process certain SBA loans.
The following web site (http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Certified-Preferred-Lenders/) will link you to the opening page on Certified and Preferred Lenders. The accompanying web page will provide you with a list of these lenders by geographical areas.
1) When I was in basic training, I remember they told me that I could get a grant to start a business when I got out.
This benefit was available under the original Montgomery GI Bill which, and was discontinued in 1986. Now, there are no loans from VA specifically for business start-up.
2) My spouse wants to open a business. Can he/she qualify as a veteran owned business and get any benefits that I would get as a veteran?
In order to be considered a veteran owned business, the business must be at least 51% veteran owned and operated. This benefit is not transferable to any family members except the caregiver for a 100% service-disabled veteran.
3) Can I use the money that is left over from my GI Bill or my Home Loan guarantee to open a business?
No. GI Bill funds can only be used for educational purposes. You can use your GI Bill to pay for entrepreneurship classes or any other classes that will help with the opening or running of your business if you still have eligibility left.
The best way to find that information is to call the Center for Veterans Enterprise so that we can get you in contact with your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Their counselors can work with you to get the information that you need.
VA has an agreement with the International Franchise Association to create a program called VetFran. This is an excellent opportunity for veterans to become business owners. The Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, commonly known as "VetFran," allows veterans to acquire a franchise at a discounted rate that is established by the franchisor. Franchising companies absorb the difference.
For more information on the VetFran program, call the Center for Veterans Enterprise, or visit the website at http://www.franchise.org/content.asp?parid=356&contentid=549.
If you are interested in doing business with VA specifically, please contact the VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) by calling toll free 1-800-949-8387 or visiting their site at http://www.va.gov/osdbu/.
With the introduction of PL 109-461, veterans have certain benefits in contracting with VA. The law:
- Redefines priorities for contracting preferences within VA, placing SDVOSBs and VOSBs first and second, respectively, in satisfying VA’s acquisition requirements.
- Allows sole source contracts over the Simplified Acquisition Procedures Threshold up to $5,000,000 (including options).
- Implements restricted competition via Set-Aside Procedures for each category of SDVOSBs and VOSBs.
- Allows additional credit evaluation factors for SDVOSB or VOSB status
You must be registered in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database in order to participate in this program. If you are interested in doing business with VA specifically, please contact the VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) by calling toll free 1-800-949-8387 or visiting their site at http://www.va.gov/osdbu/.
There are several organizations set up to help those who want to start a business. Call the CVE toll free at 1-866-584-2344 to find the nearest one to you. Most areas will have a local Small Business Development Center (SBDC). There is a wealth of information at the SBDC that includes personal counseling on writing a business plan and a list of preferred lenders. They are typically hosted at colleges or universities an offer no- or low-cost classes and other services.
Although there are fewer available, Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) do much the same work as the SBDCs, but are geared specifically to disabled veterans. These are non-profit organizations that receive Federal grants.
You may also have a Veterans Business Development Officer in your local area. This is an employee of the Small Business Administration. Call the CVE to find the nearest one.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has set up Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) for the purpose of helping an established small business learn the business of contracting with the Federal Government. The CVE has a listing of these as well.
You should start a business that you are competent in and are enthusiastic about. This is something that will be taking up most of your waking hours for quite some time. Do something you love.
It depends. It is not absolutely necessary to incorporate. Many small businesses operate as sole proprietorships or partnerships. Incorporating or becoming a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) gives you as an owner more personal protection from legal or financial situations.
Go listen to prospective customers about what they need and how you could supply that. If you are interested in marketing to the government, you should identify an agency you would like to sell to and contact that agency’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
You own and operate the second location.
A franchise has to conform to Federal rules regarding selling franchises. The franchisee is an owner of the location, subject to their franchise agreement with you.
You have to decide that. If someone is offering to license it that could be a better business decision than trying to develop and market the product all by yourself, but the final decision depends on you and the product. There is no simple answer.
There are indeed special emphasis programs for service-disabled business owners in the world of federal procurement. There is even a new law that permits the consideration of noncompetitive or competitive set aside contract awards limited to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB). It's essential that SDVOSB concerns looking to take advantage of these programs have the ability, experience and at least a demonstrated commercial background.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) has a five-track program for helping veterans with service-connected disabilities get back into gainful employment. One of these tracks is called “self-employment.” Please see the VetSuccess Web site or contact your Voc Rehab counselor for more information. http://www.vetsuccess.gov/
Starting a business through VR&E does not guarantee winning any type of government contract. You will need to follow the same route as all other SDVOSBs.
Economic development grants or loans are typically provided by municipal, regional or state agencies that target specific areas for new business. These loans are sometimes also provided by private concerns. The best place to locate these types of financing are through your state’s economic development organization or through the Council for Urban Economic Development.
In an effort to improve their local economies, most states, and many municipalities and counties, sponsor a variety of public funding sources for small business concerns. At the state level, nearly all states have some form of state economic development agency and/or state finance authority that make loans or loan guarantees to small businesses. State Commerce Departments often have direct or participating loan programs that may be even more attractive than SBA-guaranteed loan programs. See our State Pages for more information on your state.
Also, don't forget to check local colleges, universities, or trade schools to see if they have any small business assistance programs. Some institutions, with the help of public funding, provide business "incubator" programs that can include consulting, marketing, services, facilities, and financing opportunities to local businesses as part of the institution's business education program.
These types of financing are available to everyone. You may also want to check with your local Veteran’s Service Organization, such as the American Legion, to see if they know of anything specifically targeted at veterans in your area. Another place to find information on these types of financing is your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
The VetBiz.gov Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database is a collection of all types of veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs). As the popularity of the database grows, it is a way for anyone in the general public to find a VOSB near them. Supporting VOSBs is a way to give back to those who gave so much for all of us. Small business is the backbone of the American economy, and supporting a veteran owned business is a way to show pride in our country.
Applying for a service-connected disability can now be done online. Please go to http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp to find the appropriate forms and submit them. You can also find the forms at your regional office of the VA. To find the location nearest you, go to http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1.
Registering on the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database is a way of self-certifying your status as a VOSB or SDVOSB. If you are a veteran business owner who is not already registered, please go to www.vip.vetbiz.gov to register your business. Click here for eligibility requirements.
The first call you should make if you are interested in exporting is to your local Small Business Development Center. Then call the US Commercial Service, a part of the US Department of Commerce. To find a local office, call 1-800-USA-TRADE or go to www.export.gov.
As far as Federal contracting is concerned; new start small businesses generally find it time-consuming to get situated for doing business with the Federal government. Successful marketing and competing in the Federal arena often takes several years of commercial development, research and a level of financial preparedness that start-up firms don’t initially have. As a matter of risk-reward business practicality, launching a business expressly with an eye on near term Federal market opportunities is likely to take more than a year to obtain your first contract. As a near term solution, you should be able to accept credit cards and micro-purchase opportunities from the government. Then you should look at Simplified Acquisition Threshold transactions as a next step. Subcontracting and teaming arrangements are another way that new businesses get started in the Federal marketplace.
Public Law 106-50 and Executive Order 13360 have established procurement goals for all Federal agencies. The law sets a goal of 3% of all Federal procurement dollars to be spent with service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs).
We at the Center for Veterans Enterprise assist contracting officers in understanding the program rules so they can meet the goals. For more information on the program and how to participate, please see our Business Owners’ Toolkit.
Currently, VA is the only Federal agency with a goal for veteran-owned small businesses. Each year the Secretary of VA establishes a goal for VOSBs. In FY 2008 the VA VOSB goal is 10%, which includes a 7% SDVOSB goal.
The Federal Acquisition Regulation establishes that 8(a) businesses have first priority in small business programs followed by the HUBZone businesses. VA has special legislation that applies only to our Department that puts SDVOSBs and VOSBs first in small business programs. In fact there are many successful companies in each of these programs.
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR Part 19) gives the following information on small business set-asides in general:
(a) The purpose of small business set-asides is to award certain acquisitions exclusively to small business concerns. A “set-aside for small business” is the reserving of an acquisition exclusively for participation by small business concerns. A small business set-aside may be open to all small businesses. A small business set-aside of a single acquisition or a class of acquisitions may be total or partial.
(b) The determination to make a small business set-aside may be unilateral or joint. A unilateral determination is one that is made by the contracting officer. A joint determination is one that is recommended by the Small Business Administration (SBA) procurement center representative (or, if a procurement center representative is not assigned, see 19.402(a)) and concurred in by the contracting officer.
(c) For acquisitions exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, the requirement to set aside an acquisition for HUBZone small business concerns takes priority over the requirement to set aside the acquisition for small business concerns.
(d) The small business reservation and set-asides requirements at 19.502-2 do not preclude award of a contract to a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern under Subpart 19.14.
(e) The contracting officer shall review acquisitions to determine if they can be set-aside for small business, giving consideration to the recommendations of agency personnel having cognizance of the agency’s small business programs. The contracting officer shall document why a small business set-aside is inappropriate when an acquisition is not set aside for small business, unless a HUBZone or service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-aside or HUBZone or service-disabled veteran-owned small business sole source award is anticipated. If the acquisition is set-aside for small business based on this review, it is a unilateral set-aside by the contracting officer. Agencies may establish threshold levels for this review depending upon their needs.
(f) At the request of an SBA procurement center representative, (or, if a procurement center representative is not assigned, see 19.402(a)) the contracting officer shall make available for review at the contracting office (to the extent of the SBA representative’s security clearance) all proposed acquisitions in excess of the micro-purchase threshold that have not been unilaterally set aside for small business.
(g) To the extent practicable, unilateral determinations initiated by a contracting officer shall be used as the basis for small business set-asides rather than joint determinations by an SBA procurement center representative and a contracting officer.
(h) All solicitations involving set-asides must specify the applicable small business size standard and NAICS code.
(i) Except as authorized by law, a contract may not be awarded as a result of a small business set-aside if the cost to the awarding agency exceeds the fair market price.
A contracting officer may determine that a particular contract can go as a sole-source based on the following criteria (see FAR Part 6):
(1) Only one source is capable of responding due to the unique or specialized nature of the work;
(2) The new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order must not have been previously issued under sole source or limited source procedures;
(3) The item is peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer; or
(4) An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the ordering procedures would result in unacceptable delays.
The contract types are grouped into two broad categories: fixed-price contracts and cost-reimbursement contracts. The specific contract types range from firm-fixed-price, in which the contractor has full responsibility for the performance costs and resulting profit (or loss), to cost-plus-fixed-fee, in which the contractor has minimal responsibility for the performance costs and the negotiated fee (profit) is fixed. In between are the various incentive contracts, in which the contractor’s responsibility for the performance costs and the profit or fee incentives offered are tailored to the uncertainties involved in contract performance. For more information go to Part 16 of the FAR.
The best way to prepare for government contracting is to contact your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). The Department of Defense (DoD) has set up the PTACs for the purpose of helping an established small business learn the business of contracting with the Federal government. The CVE has a listing of these.
The short answer is “It depends.” There are a couple of scenarios where the outcome would be different. If we are looking at the purchase of the business and subsequent contracts from a purely procurement stand, there is no waiting time from becoming an owner to bidding on contracts.
When a waiting time would come into play would be in an ethics case. If, for example, you have been a silent partner in the company for some time, but also held a position at a VA medical center where you would have influence in decisions, then there is an ethical waiting period. This is typically 2 years. If this is indeed the case, you can check with VA’s staff counsel that handles ethical questions.
At this time there are no survivor benefits for spouses in most Federal agencies. However, according to PL 109-461, an eligible surviving spouse may continue the business for up to 10 years.
No. Large businesses are excluded from competing in the small business programs for 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veterans, and other small businesses. Large businesses can, however, partner with smaller businesses.
Limitations are imposed on small businesses who are awarded contracts through special procurement programs such as service-disabled veteran-owned small business, 8(a), HUBZone programs and small business set-asides. Limits are not specified when conducting full and open competitions or competitions utilizing Federal Supply Schedule sources. For further clarification see the following references in the FAR:
EO 13360 strategies are posted on the Center for Veterans Enterprise’s vetbiz.gov Web site at http://vaww.fp.webdev.va.gov/vetbiz/vetbiz/
acquisition/trend.htm.
The new name will be Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) and the reorganization will combine FSS with FTS (Federal Technology Service).
For size standard purposes, a product or service shall be classified in only one industry, whose definition best describes the principal nature of the product or service being acquired even though for other purposes it could be classified in more than one.
When acquiring a product or service that could be classified in two or more industries with different size standards, contracting officers shall apply the size standard for the industry accounting for the greatest percentage of the contract price.
Detailed guidance is available in FAR Part 19.102.
The NAICS code can be appealed by any person adversely affected by that NAICS code designation, to the Office of Hearing and Appeals, SBA, Any person adversely affected by a size determination. If the requirement is an 8(a) contract, only the Associate or Assistant Administrator for the Minority Enterprise Development, SBA program may appeal a NAICS code designation through SBA's Office of General Counsel; and/or the procuring agency Contracting Officer responsible for the procurement affected by a size determination.
Invitation for Bid (IFB): An IFB is an advertised contract, also referred to as a "Sealed bid." There are no discussions, and the bid package is considered complete for bidding purposes. The price is a major consideration, and the signing of the solicitation form by the bidder and by the government creates a binding document. It is competitive and the low bid will get it.
- Request for Proposal (RFP): An RFP is a negotiated contract. There will be discussions, and the bidder may get the opportunity to change bid pricing, technical requirements, etc. As with the IFB, this becomes a binding contract when both the bidder and the government sign. Price and other factors will determine the winner.
- Request for Quote (RFQ): An RFQ is a request for information that may include price, but is not a binding contract or document. This is also considered a negotiated bid because the government will want to talk over the information obtained. This is normally used for acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold.
The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice template is used to publish both a notice (synopsis) and a solicitation in a single FedBizOpps submission for commercial items, as defined by the FAR (Sub Parts 5.202 & 12.603). The combined synopsis/solicitation notice does not require a minimum 15-day delay between notice publication and solicitation release, thus allowing both buyers and vendors to save time publishing and responding to a "commercial items" opportunity more quickly.
The other three types of solicitations must adhere to the publicizing timeframes outlined in FAR part 5.
5.203 Publicizing and Response Time.
Whenever agencies are required to publicize notice of proposed contract actions under 5.201, they must proceed as follows:
(a) An agency must transmit a notice of proposed contract action to the GPE (see 5.201). All publicizing and response times are calculated based on the date of publication. The publication date is the date the notice appears on the GPE. The notice must be published at least 15 days before issuance of a solicitation except that, for acquisitions of commercial items, the contracting officer may—
(1) Establish a shorter period for issuance of the solicitation; or
(2) Use the combined synopsis and solicitation procedure (see 12.603).
- 5.203 (c) Except for the Acquisition of Commercial Items (see 5.203(b)),
Agencies shall allow at least a 30-day response time for receipt of bids or proposals from the date of issuance of a solicitation, if the proposed contract action is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.
(d) Agencies shall allow at least a 30 day response time from the date of publication of a proper notice of intent to contract for architect-engineer services or before issuance of an order under a basic ordering agreement or similar arrangement if the proposed contract action is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.
(e) Agencies must allow at least a 45-day response time for receipt of bids or proposals from the date of publication of the notice required in 5.201 for proposed contract actions categorized as research and development if the proposed contract action is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.
The statutory authority for the Very Small Business (VSB) Program has expired. The VSB Program originally authorized under Section 304 of SBA’s Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 1994, Public Law 103-403, expired on June 5, 2004 for all Federal agencies. HR 5008 then extended it to Sep 24, 2004 and then it expired. The VSB Program was created as a government wide pilot program to increase contracting opportunities for VSB concerns.
SDVOSB, 8(a) and HUBZone must still be considered prior to going full and open.
Ten: automated data processing acquisition support service (D314), maintenance and repair of telephone and telegraph equipment (J058), maintenance and repair of general purpose ADPE (J070), lease of general purpose ADPE (W070), surgical dressing materials (6510), x-ray equipment and supplies (6525), diagnostic reagents, kits, etc (6550), chemical analysis instruments (6630), laboratory equipment and supplies (6640), and special diet preparations (8940)
Prime contractors have reported these accomplishments using either the Standard Form 294 or the Standard Form 295. The contract for the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) was awarded to an 8(a) firm, Simplicity, in January 2005. The eSRS system is now becoming operational.
Subcontracting information can be requested from the contracting officers. It is rare for a contracting officer to take any direct action when a prime contractor does not meet their subcontracting goals.
All upcoming contract opportunities expected to exceed $25K, with a description of the work/product(s) to be procured, the incumbent, if any, dollar range, if applicable, the type of set-aside contemplated, if any, and the expiration date of the current contract/option year, if applicable.
FAR Part 19.1406 “Sole Source awards to SDVOSB concerns.”
(a) A contracting officer may award contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns on a sole source basis (see 19.501(d) and 6.302-5), provided—
(1) Only one service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern can satisfy the requirement;
(2) The anticipated award price of the contract (including options) will not exceed—
(i) $5 million for a requirement within the NAICS codes for manufacturing; or
(ii) $3 million for a requirement within any other NAICS code;
(3) The service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern has been determined to be a responsible contractor with respect to performance; and
(4) Award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.
(b) The SBA has the right to appeal the contracting officer’s decision not to make a service-disabled veteran-owned small business sole source award.
FAR 19.30(a) sole source acquisitions, the SBA, or the contracting officer may protest the apparently successful offeror’s service-disabled veteran-owned small business status. For service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-asides, any interested party may protest the apparently successful offeror’s service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern status.
Issues and Concerns
