1. Doing Business with VA National 8(a) 2017 Summer Regional Conference
June 28-29, 2017

2. Overview OSDBU Mission and Vision OSDBU Program Areas
VA Small Business Achievement FY 16
What VA Buys
Impact of Kingdomware Supreme Court Decision
Procurement Ready Checklist
How to Stand Out from the Crowd
Adjusting to Current Small Business Climate
How to Take Advantage of Increased Opportunities
NVSBE SAVE THE DATE!
VA Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs
Information Resources
Today’s objective is to provide you a snapshot on how VA supports Veteran Entrepreneurship.

3. Mission: Vision: Our Mission and Vision
Centered around our support for Veteran small business success
Mission:
Enable Veterans to gain access to economic opportunity by leveraging the federal procurement system and enabling participation of procurement ready small businesses.
Vision:
OSDBU has a basic mission which centers around support for Veteran small business success and achievement making the Veteran our primary customer. This includes increasing their access to procurement opportunities, promotion of Veteran employment, and support of VA Small Business goals.
By 2019, OSDBU will transform how procurement ready small businesses gain access to economic opportunity through increased awareness, reduced risk, enhanced access, improved procurement mechanisms, and better performance in order to enable Veterans to gain access to economic opportunities.

4. OSDBU Program Areas Small Business Policy
How we support Veteran small businesses
Small Business Policy
Verification
Direct Access
Field Operations Trial
Program Support Trial
Strategic Outreach and Communications
Small Business Policy (SBP) Mission:
Ensure small businesses, and especially Veteran-owned small businesses, have the maximum practicable opportunity to benefit from VA contracting opportunities through appropriate policy, goals, and accountability mechanisms.
SBP -Why Important?
The Small Business Policy Program ensures that VA actively maintains and fulfils its responsibilities and obligations under Congressional and Legislative law. It works with VA and other Federal agencies to create policies that support VA interests. The program also works closely with the Office of the Secretary for Veterans Affairs (OSVA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to assist with the establishment of VA small business goals.
Verification Mission:
Enable eligible VOSBs to be verified for inclusion in the Veterans First Program
Verification- Why Important?
Verification is a pre-requisite to the Veterans First Contracting Program which facilitates SDVOSB and VOSB participation in VA contracting. VA is the only federal agency that verifies Veteran-Owned Small Businesses as a requirement for competing for Veteran set-aside procurement opportunities.
DAP Mission:
Enable VOSBs and other small businesses opportunities to gain direct access to Federal and Commercial Procurement Decision Makers (PDM)
DAP- Why Important?
Direct Access allows both the small business owner and PDM to build the business relationship essential to adding value to VA through access to procurement opportunities.
Field Operations Trial (FOT) Mission:
Enable compliance with 38 USC 8127 by reviewing procurements to ensure appropriate set-asides
FOT Why Important?
VA is accountable for compliance with 38 USC 8127.
OSDBU review precludes successful protests and protects VA reputation.
Program Support Trial (PST) Mission:
To provide program office support that enables maximum consideration of VOSBs and SDVOSBs in the VA procurement process.
Why Important?
The Program Support Trial (PST) allows VA Program Offices to directly engage with OSDBU on procurement strategies (such as Medical Furniture & Medical Surgical Prime Vendor Acquisitions) and assists with improvement and enhancement of those initiatives to create increased procurement opportunities for VOSBs.
Strategic Outreach and Communications (SOC) Mission:
Provide communication, education, and the distribution of information to the stakeholder to promote awareness and understanding of VA small business programs.
SOC provides an avenue for OSDBU to inform all of its stakeholders about VA small business programs and resources, VA small business goals, and access opportunities.

5. VA Small Business Achievement- FY 16
Committed to providing opportunities to Veteran small businesses- Placing Veterans First
Federal Goal
VA Goal
VA Percentage
VA Dollars (billions)
2016
All small business
23%
32.5%
29.9%
$6.889
SDVOSB 3%
10.0%
17.8%
$4.105
VOSB
N/A
12.0%
19.1%
$4.410
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) – includes 8(a) 5%
5.0%
7.1%
$1.637
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
3.0%
$0.697
Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)
1.6%
$0.366
VA Gives Priority to Vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has special authority for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB and VOSB) set-aside and sole source contracts.
Consistent with its mission to support Veterans, VA hierarchy puts SDVOSB and VOSB at the top of the list when it comes to consideration for the awarding of contracts to small businesses.
Small Business groups that follow SDVOSB and VOSB in the hierarchy include: 8(a), HUBZone, Women-Owned Small Business then all other small businesses.
For the first time ever, VA awarded more than $4 billion to SDVOSBs and VOSBs in FY 16. This is a substantial achievement as neither category was previously awarded above $4 billion in VA spend.
Data above was collected on January 12, 2017 for the Fiscal Year 2016 and reports through September 30, 2016.
Data for FY 16 in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) continues to be entered by VA offices.
Source: Federal Procurement Data System.
Data reported as of January 12, 2017.

6. What VA Buys Pharmaceuticals and medical and surgical supplies
Equipment, supplies, and materials for facility operation
Maintenance and repair of medical and scientific equipment
Building construction, maintenance, and repair
Prosthetic and orthopedic aids
Non-IT enterprise-wide solutions
Enterprise-wide solutions in information and technology
Architect/Engineer services
VA Buys
VA procures over $3 billion in goods each year from VOSB.
Because of our mission, and our SDVOSB and VOSB goals, VA has a key interest in doing business with Veterans.

7. Impact of Kingdomware Supreme Court Decision
Expected increases in opportunities for procurement-ready VOSBs
Could potentially slow down some procurements due to increased work load
Emphasized need for comprehensive and robust Market Research to facilitate identification of procurement-ready VOSBs for VA requirements
VA has been actively engaging with Small Business Liaisons to work on Market Research process improvements
Expected increase in volume of Verification applications and increased significance of the Vendor Information Pages (VIP)
Key Elements of VA Acquisition Policy
Rule of Two applies to all competitive procurements
VA continues to promote competitive procurement strategies in order to obtain best value
Limited use of sole source authority under 38 U.S.C. § 8127 only when appropriate
Continued use of FSS and other acquisition vehicles if Rule of Two can be met
VOSB must be verified by VA to be considered under Rule of Two
VA Market Research Approach
Check VIP Database for VOSB with needed NAICS
Determine availability of Verified VOSB on existing VA contracts, FSS, and other acquisition vehicles
Conduct market research for “open market” procurement
Use of Request For Information (RFI)/Sources Sought through FedBizOpps
MyVA Verification Program
Implementation of MyVA Verification will improve Veteran experience during the application process
Transition occurs in September
Increase in demand will create short term stress on the process

8. Procurement Ready Checklist
Performance history
Capability statement
SAM registration
D-U-N-S Number
FPDS account
Apply for a GSA Schedule, if eligible
NAICS Codes and size
DSBS
Corporate Website
Certifications for small business
Credit card acceptance
Contact information including telephone number and address
Licenses
Bonding capacity
Industry/procurement specific certifications
Products must meet 19 U.S.C 2501: Trade Agreements Act
Knowledge about the customer within the federal marketplace
Performance history
Capability statement
SAM registration
D-U-N-S Number
FPDS account
Apply for a GSA Schedule, if eligible
NAICS Codes and size
DSBS
Corporate Website
Certifications for small business
Credit card acceptance
Contact information including telephone number and address
Licenses
Bonding capacity
Industry/procurement specific certifications
Products must meet 19 U.S.C 2501: Trade Agreements Act
Knowledge about the customer within the federal marketplace

9. How to Stand Out From the Crowd
Explain how your company is unique, different, and distinct from your competitors in responding to the needs of the client.
Define and explain the needs of your clients and why your firm is better positioned than others to respond to these needs. State why the customer should pick your company over other competitors.
Past Performance
Small Business Certificates
Vets First Verification Program
Certificates of Competency (SBA)
ISO 9000/9001 certification
Industry Awards
Past Performance
Small Business Certificates
Vets First Verification Program
Certificates of Competency (SBA)
ISO 9000/9001 certification
Industry Awards

10. Adapting to Current Small Business Climate
Kingdomware Decision released in June 2016
Emphasizes usage of “Rule of Two” for all competitive VA procurements
Prioritizes the need for VOSBs to become Verified through VA’s Veterans First Contracting Program
Heightens significance of Market Research
As a result, VA has been working to update current procurement procedures and streamline and improve market research processes
What is the Rule of Two?
Provides that “… a contracting officer of the Department shall award contracts” by restricting competition to Veteran-Owned Small Businesses if the officer reasonably expects that at least two such businesses “… will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States.” 38 U. S. C.§8127(d)
Supreme Court of the United States, KINGDOMWARE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. v. UNITED STATES

11. What can VOSBs Do to Take Advantage of Increased Opportunities?
Be Verified
Have a complete profile in VIP Database
Register in VA Business Intelligence Tool (VA BIT)
Obtain Federal Supply Schedule as appropriate
Register for FedBizOpps (FBO) alerts
Respond to RFI/Sources Sought
Make sure your Website is Accessible to VA staff
Attend Direct Access Program (DAP) events
View calendar here:
Competing for Set-asides SBA Rule: Limitations on Subcontracting
Of amount Government pays the prime contractor, no more than 50% may be subcontracted further (limits are 85% and 75% for general and specialty construction)
Exceptions:
For supplies and construction, cost of materials is excluded from the amount subject to limit
Subcontracts to first-tier similarly situated entities are excluded from the amount subject to limit
Contracts that are a mix of supplies and services are subject to the limit that applies to the dominant share of the contract (e.g., a predominantly services contract that includes supplies is governed by services limit, and excludes supplies portion)
How VOSBs can Improve their Competitive Position in Responding to Set-asides
Consider identifying similarly situated entities for teams to supplement your firm’s capabilities
If offering on a supply contract as a distributor, be prepared to show you are providing product of a small manufacturer (non-manufacturer rule)
To provide product of a large manufacturer, SBA will need to waive non-manufacturer rule to allow it
Non-manufacturer rule is not applicable to service contracts

12. NVSBE 2017- Save the Date! When: December 5th-7th, 2017
Where: St. Louis, MO
Key Activities:
Business Opportunity Sessions Networking Roundtables
Dining with Decision Makers
Senior Leader Round Tables Informal Receptions
Learning Sessions
Exhibits
One-on-One Follow-up Meetings
VOSB expected 650+ VOSB registered as of September 20, 2016

13. VA Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs
Access to Information
2. Doing Business with VA & Procurement Readiness
1. Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP)
3. Events Calendar
VA Outreach Resources Available Include:
Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP): a one-stop, online listing of small business resources provided to assist Veteran entrepreneurs with information and guidance through various steps of entrepreneurship.
Doing Business with VA Reference Guide: explains how to navigate through the VA contracting procurement process.
Procurement Readiness: Use this information to ensure your small business is prepared to effectively do business with VA.
Events Calendar: where small businesses can find upcoming events that center are creating opportunities for small business to add value to VA.

14. Information Resources
VA Vendor Information Pages (VIP)
VA Business Intelligence Tool (VA BIT)
VA Kingdomware Information
How to Get Verified
Doing Business with VA Reference Guide
Procurement Readiness Reference Guide
How to Ensure VA Staff Can Access Your Firm’s Website Fact Sheet
National Veterans Small Business Engagement (NVSBE)