Category Archives: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

New Consolidated SDVOSB Eligibility Requirements: the Good, the Bad, and the Downright Ugly

Posted on by

New, consolidated SDVOSB eligibility regulations kicked in on October 1.  The new regulations replace the old VA and SBA rules, which provided separate eligibility standards for SDVOSBs.

Veterans have long been confused by the fact that the Government operated two separate SDVOSB programs, each with its own standards.  The consolidated rule will eliminate that confusion, and that’s a very good thing.  There are also several other pieces of the new SDVOSB eligibility rule that veterans should like–but also some that aren’t so great, or that require further clarification as to how they’ll be applied.

We provided a broader overview of the new regulations earlier last week.  Now it’s time for me to get on my soapbox.  Without further ado, here’s my list of the good, bad, and the downright ugly from the new SDVOSB regulations.

Continue reading →

SDVOSB Eligibility Update: SBA Issues New Rule

Posted on by

Earlier this week, Steve updated SmallGovCon readers on a very important SDVOSB eligibility change: beginning October 1, the VA will begin using the SBA’s eligibility rules to verify SDVOSBs and VOSBs.

The SBA has now followed suit—in a final rule published today, the SBA has amended its eligibility rules for SDVOSBs. These rules provide important clarity into SDVOSB eligibility going forward.

Let’s take a look at some of the most important changes.

Continue reading →

VA Will Use SBA SDVOSB Eligibility Rules Starting October 1, 2018

Posted on by

The VA will begin using the SBA’s eligibility rules to verify SDVOSBs and VOSBs beginning October 1, 2018.

In a final rule published today in the Federal Register, the VA confirms that the SBA’s eligibility requirements will apply beginning next week–but in my eyes, one very important question remains unanswered.

Continue reading →

VetBiz Verification Not Required For Non-VA SDVOSB Contracts, SBA OHA Reiterates

Posted on by

Despite a longstanding and very common misconception, the VA’s SDVOSB verification requirement doesn’t apply to non-VA SDVOSB contracts.

As the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals recently reiterated, it was “simply not correct” to believe that a company was required to be verified in VetBiz to be awarded a non-VA SDVOSB contract.

Continue reading →

VA Suspends SDVOSB/VOSB Applications Effective May 21

Posted on by

On May 21, 2018, the VA will suspend SDVOSB and VOSB applications for “approximately thirty (30)” days while the VA transitions to a new VIP interface.

According to a notice posted on the VA OSDBU website, the suspension will affect “both new applications and applications for re-verification.”  However, the VA CVE “will continue processing previously submitted applications during the suspension.”  The VA doesn’t beat around the bush: “any applicants (Veterans) that desire to have their cases begin the verification process before the suspension start date, should strongly consider case submission completion to VIP prior to May 21, 2018.”

Continue reading →

VA SDVOSB Rule of Two: Court Provides Important Guidance for Protesters

Posted on by

A protester contending that the VA violated the “rule of two” by failing to set-aside a solicitation for SDVOSBs must present sufficient facts to indicate that the VA should have had a reasonable expectation of receiving two or more offers from SDVOSBs at fair and reasonable prices.

In a recent decision, the Court of Federal Claims dismissed a rule of two challenge because, according to the Court, the protester only identified one SDVOSB–itself–that was likely to submit an offer at a fair and reasonable price.

Continue reading →

SBA CVE Protests and Appeals: Coming October 1

Posted on by

The SBA will begin hearing protests and appeals related to inclusion in the VA’s SDVOSB/VOSB CVE database on October 1, 2018.

On March 30, the SBA published a final rule, which responded to public comments made on the proposed rule issued last year.  SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals will begin deciding these cases in the fall.

Continue reading →