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Sections 502 and 503 of Public Law 109-461, the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, codified at 38 U.S.C. 8127- 8128, authorize the VA Veterans First Contracting Program. This program provides the authority to VA contracting officers to make set-aside or sole source awards to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB). SDVOSBs are small businesses which the U.S. Small Business Administration has certified are owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities. VOSBs are small businesses which SBA has certified are owned and controlled by veterans without service-connected disabilities.
This program aims to assist small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals gain access to Federal contracts. Once certified as 8(a), a small business can participate in competitive and sole source contracting opportunities.
This program provides Federal contracting opportunities to small businesses located in economically distressed areas, aiming to stimulate economic development and create jobs in those areas. Small businesses certified as HUBZone SB by SBA can participate in set-aside and sole source contracting opportunities. Additionally, they are eligible to receive a 10% price evaluation preference when competing for prime and subcontracting opportunities.
This program helps small businesses which are owned and controlled by one or more women compete for Federal contract awards in industries where they are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented. Once certified by SBA, these businesses are eligible for set-aside and sole source contracting opportunities.
Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(h), VA applies preferences for awarding contracts to small businesses in the following order of priority:
  • SDVOSB;
  • VOSB;
  • Active participants in 8(a) Program or HUBZone SB Program;
  • Active participants in the WOSB Program or other small businesses which do not qualify for any socio-economic programs.
Please note: Content on this Web page is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal advice or to be a comprehensive statement or analysis of application statures, regulations, and case law governing this topic. Rather, it's a plain language summary. If you are seeking claims assitance, your local VA regional office, a VA-recognized Veterans Service Organization, or a VA-accredited attorney or agent can help.