Purpose
Many Federal Agencies and private businesses have inidcated that they can't find enough veteran-owned businesses to meet their goals and contracting objectives in accordance with PL 109-650 . Veteran-owned businesses have told us that they can't afford to market to all potential Federal customers. The Vendor Information Pages Database was developed to support both communities to acheive their contracting goals.
Background
In September 2003, Leo McKay, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, officially opened the "VetBiz Vendor Information Pages (VIP)". The database was initially populated with data extracted from Pro-Net, CCR, the California disabled veteran business enterprise database, input from VA contracting offices, and responses from veteran entrepreneurs themselves. Since its conception VIP database has had two major overhauls based on focus group inputs from both the contracting and veteran business communities. We will continue to fine tune the VIP registration process along with its search features as new requirements needed.
The Vendor Information Pages Database is the only Federally controlled database in which a legal verification process is used to determine service disabled or veteran status of a small business. All companies participating in the Veterans First program under PL 109-461 are required to submit evidence of ownership / control and veteran status before being awarded a VA contract under the set-aside authority.