For the last few years, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) have struggled with the challenges of verifying their eligibility for the VA’s SDVOSB set-aside program through the VetBiz VIP Verification Program (VetBiz). Now, for those SDVOSBs that have already run the gauntlet of verifying their status, the process may have gotten easier.
We all know why VetBiz exists. VetBiz is a response to years of complaints and GAO reports that ineligible contractors were benefiting from the SDVOSB program. One highly-publicized report detailed how millions of set-aside contract dollars were awarded to SDVOSBs used as pass-throughs, or to contractors ineligible under program requirements (see http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10108.pdf).
VetBiz acts as a check on ineligible contractors by requiring SDVOSBs to submit their business documents to an online repository and to undergo an eligibility examination. If approved as an eligible SDVOSB, the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) will issue the SDVOSB an approval letter verifying status that is good for one year. The business will also be listed in an online database, the VA Vendor Information Pages, which is necessary in order to bid on VA set-asides.
Sounds great, doesn’t it? In theory, it is – it allows the VA to track eligible contractors for set-asides, as well as identify ineligible contractors that may be abusing the system.
In reality, it could be great. It just needs a few tweaks to make sure that the process of verifying online does not inspire hair-pulling and throwing one’s computer across the room.
On June 6th the CVE announced implementation of a new system that may accomplish this: its Verification Case Management System (VCMS). The self-stated goals of VCMS are to “streamline the eligibility and verification process, simplify business owners’ ability to track their companies’ progress, improve case management, and minimize evaluation processing time.” (see VetBiz press release: http://www.vetbiz.gov/ReverPressRelease.pdf). As of the date of the press release, 275 SDVOSBs that previously verified were eligible to use the VCMS process. This is a simpler procedure for verifying one’s status, available to those companies that have already proven themselves as eligible for the SDVOSB program. After all, to make them go through the same tedious process all over again is not only unnecessary, but it wastes VA resources.
This move represents a step in the right direction for the VA. If SDVOSBs are willing to experience the trials and headache of the initial verification – to submit the paperwork, tolerate an onsite visit, and answer potentially invasive questions – the process won’t be nearly as difficult when reverification rolls around. And if this system does in fact act as a check on ineligible contractors to make sure that awards truly go to SDVOSBs, isn’t it worth it?
