House Votes To Put Vets First in Line for VA Contracts The House has approved a set-aside program for all veteran-owned businesses contracting with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill would allow VA to award sole-source contracts worth up to $5 million to veterans’ businesses. “I want to make it plain that the intent of this bill is to put veteran-owned businesses, especially service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, at the front of the line for set-aside opportunities at the Department of Veterans Affairs,” said the sponsor, Rep. John Boozman (R-AR). “This is a small way for the nation to show its appreciation for not only the service these men and women have rendered to the nation, but also for their entrepreneurial spirit that drives our economy.” The Veterans Small Business and Memorial Affairs Act, H.R. 3082, passed by voice vote July 24 and awaits action by the Senate. It would give first priority to service-disabled veterans, followed by other veteran-owned businesses, in all VA contracts. The VA secretary would be required to establish a procurement goal for all veteran-owned firms, in addition to the existing 3% governmentwide goal for contracting with businesses owned by service-disabled veterans. As originally written, the bill set a 9% goal for contracting with veterans, but the version passed by the House leaves the goal up to the secretary. VA awarded only 2.15% of its prime contract dollars to SDV firms last year. Boozman said, “I feel VA must set an example for the rest of the government.” The legislation also allows a company to continue its status as a veteran or disabled veteran-owned small business for 10 years following the death of the veteran-owner if the surviving spouse owns the business.