What are the advantages of being an SDVOSB, and what programs can assist one in obtaining a set-aside contract?

SPC Paul Tillson — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 15:09:47 -0500

I have gone through all the steps necessary to receive the CVE as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.
I get many calls from companies wanting $3,000 to $5,000 for a 5 year contract.
What I would like to do is learn the process, via mentor ship, as I have already completed the the verification/certification processes. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 10 at 2016 3:15 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 15:15:27 -0500

This is a very good subject, wish I had the knowledge to give an answer.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 3:32 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 15:32:43 -0500

SDVOSB is one of the hardest small business goals for Prime Contractors and Government Agencies to fill, congratulations on getting your company up and running. There are two types of companies, most are shell companies that don't actually do anything other than bid and wind contracts then subcontract them out. (violates many rules but are largely unenforced) Then there are the rare companies that actually compete for work that they can perform. Online Computer support certainly is a good option for you. The first place to start is a capabilities brief which you need to take to the SBA and all the contracting offices you plan on doing work with. Small business set asides are largely networked in advance. You need to focus on letting the contracting officers know what you can do so they will decide to set a procurement aside for SDVOSB. It really helps if you have two companies that will compete against each other. (Contracting Officers SHALL first consider an acquisition for... 8(a), HUBzone, SDVOSB. FAR 19.203)
You should also register in SAM and begin to look for procurement under your NAICS code that you are capable of performing through FedBizOpps.com. Anything that comes over as a sources sought should be a priority for you. Look at the non-manufacture rule class waivers and you can set yourself up as a middle man. (getting the SDVOSB credits to the government agency or prime contractor) non-manufacture rules are for buying items that are not available through American companies so a small business can buy a foreign item then sell it to an agency as a small business.

While you are at the contracting office find out who the main prime contractors are particularly the ones that are not meeting their Small Business Subcontracting Goals and sell yourself to them.

Also look up the joint venture regulations in FAR 19.1403 (c) for contracts that are above your capability.

Congrats and good luck if you have specific questions feel free to ask.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 10 at 2016 7:09 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 19:09:50 -0500

Our future is safe when the likes of MAJ Private RallyPoint Member can steer you along a good line. As a long term prior contracting officer, I'll fill in some gaps. Most organizations on the Fed and States side have a Small Business Advocate. Most do because they're required to by regulation. They typically report directly to the Skipper and are not buried down in the basement. Those are the ones you need to get to insofar as getting your capabilities brief coordinated. Second, you have to have a product that the contracting office actually contracts for. If it's manufactured items, you'd be looking to the Supply Side contracting offices. If it's services, you'll be pinging on the NAVFAC and CoE contracting offices. Also work with SBA to figure out a Mentor-Protege arrangement and work as a sub while you learn the ropes of Primedom. Although Jaren mentioned your "pedigree" is the hardest to fill, that varies greatly by location. In the Northwest, we were fine on Vets but always in the hurt locker for Hub Zones, i.e. there weren't many. So the SBO at a location may or may not be hot to get you in.

If you're looking to Sub, be careful who you hitch your wagon to. There are a bunch of primes who want you for the ticket punch but won't give you real meaningful work to build on. Much of the Small Whatever gets looked at heavy pre-award but ACO offices are typically undermanned, overworked, and have little interest to see if the subs are being used.

BTW, the SBOs out there usually have pretty good recommendations for potential Mentors. They're much closer to seeing the ones that work well and actually grow the sub vs. SBA who is more interested in meeting a number. Good luck son.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Feb 11 at 2016 8:02 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 08:02:24 -0500

Great answers by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member and CAPT Kevin B. .
As a government contractor, I can verify that almost all of our contracts require a small business plan be submitted with the bid and that goals are set for the various categories of small business (8A, Hub Zone, Minority-Owned, SDVOB, etc.). As a large contractor, we seek out those businesses that meet our needs/criteria and are particularly interested in those that can garner credit in more than one category, for example, if we can find a minority-owned SDVOSB located in a Hub Zone, that meets our criteria, they would probably be at the top of our list, as we can claim credit for all those categories in our small business goals.

My recommendation would be to get yourself established, get some good references and past performance, and then start marketing yourself to large businesses that require what you offer. A great place to do that is by attending Small Business Conferences held by various Government agencies. Those forums generally include sessions where they pair up large and small businesses in interview sessions. We have found that venue to be a great source for the small businesses we have brought into our fold.