SDVOSB, DVBE how best to do business with a disabled veteran business enterprise
Has your company heard recently about the Veteran Business set aside's that affect State and Federal contracts? It is 3% for Federal spending (3.18 trillion) and in some states like California, where the spending is as well in the TRILLIONS of dollars, the set aside is 25% and some Utilities and State Agencies have been known to hit as high as 44% of their annual spending with Veteran Owned business!!!
Here are five simple facts to know about doing business with a veteran owned company:
1. 3% is just the amount of the contracts set aside, not the overall amount a veteran company can receive from the total. If your prime have an idea of what portion of the contract you wish to have quoted by the veteran company, and be prepared to pay FULL PRICE because it is costing the veteran MSRP plus to deliver goods or services.
2. Veteran owned business's do NOT get price breaks on goods or services and typically will cost MORE because they are use to being require to be FEDERALLY compliant. If your going to ask for quote or bid, then first make sure to let them know if it is BELLS AND WHISTLES or BARE BONES, AKA Balls to the Wall or Treading Water and trust the veteran knows the difference, this is known as the difference between the Officer and Enlisted...anything.
3. There are in CA alone as of this posting just over 1700 veteran firms registered to do business that are certified. We are one of them. Knowing the goods or services those firms offer will greatly impact your success in subcontracting to a veteran owned business as a prime. Offering the Veteran owned business positive cash flow terms, considering the small amount of the contract they are providing, will greatly increase their ability to provide the goods or service and allow more veterans into the business market that we can subcontract to.
4. Be humble, be patient, if you can only choose one, patience. The requirements for us to become Federal contractors took 8 years, minimum. Then we also had to truly learn to master the entire system, to be agile in it and able to bid.
5. Find companies that are already standing by certified and able to support your business in WINNING contracts and bids by utilizing the STATE and FEDERAL system based on NAICS codes. Ours is 541614 which allows any good or service to be sold. Just google what is the NAICS code for Janitorial Services? Or what is the NAICS code for Toilet Paper, and you will find yours. We are registered and our codes can be found at www.SAM.gov as well at www.caleprocure.gov. If your company has any questions or needs help then as we tell veterans everyday, reach out. We are all in business together and there is 3.18 TRILLION in spending, instead of competing collaborate and win more business there is too much business and not enough qualified companies we are inundated with BUYERS and we need enough suppliers of goods and services that we approve as former Rangers and SEAL's. #meekinheritearth #meekneedhelp #earthisheavy