Like many industries, the business world made significant changes to adapt and transition operations.
Many large and small businesses took major hits; however, VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is working diligently to ensure small, Veteran-owned businesses maintain the resources needed to keep their businesses afloat during these unprecedented times.
In its most recent newsletter, OSDBU highlighted many of the virtual resources available to Veterans, as well as new initiatives on the horizon.
In fiscal year 2019, VA awarded over $12.8 billion to Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, with more than $8 billion awarded to date for fiscal 2020.
“We have a dedicated mission centering around the broadening of access for Veteran-owned small businesses to Federal procurement opportunities throughout the government,” said Chanel Carter-Bankston, Director of Strategic Outreach and Communications for VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization.
What online resources are available?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) and VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization work to ensure valuable resources are available online for Veteran entrepreneurs. Some of those training resources include a vast library of interactive tools, webinars, videos, best practices and other information:
Veteran entrepreneurs can also visit SBA’s Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) locally. VBOCs serve as a one-stop shop for counseling, mentorship and more. Find a local VBOC here.
Veterans Helping Veterans
The bond between Veterans is unmatched. VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization recognizes this special camaraderie when it announced an initiative highlighting Veteran-Owned businesses doing their part to give back to the Veteran community.
The Veterans Helping Veterans Initiative spotlights businesses that give back to the Veteran community through its hiring practices, the services it offers, how it works with VA, and more. The nominated businesses will be featured in future publications. To nominate, email: OSDBUSTRATCOMM@va.gov.
Sign up for notifications from VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for awareness and understanding of VA small business programs.
Written by staff from VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
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In fiscal year 2019, VA awarded over $12.8 billion to Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, with more than $8 billion awarded to date for fiscal 2020.’
What exactly does ‘awarded’ mean? How do we know if we’re eligible to apply for an award, what are the pre-requisites etc…? Nothing in the article actually addressed this. We are a disabled veteran owned business struggling to keep afloat during this madness.
-Robert Campbell
What about the vet that lost his VA contract as a cleaning contractor, because he had a sex conviction like 16 years prior. He did his time, started a business, supported his family as well as his employees. And the VA couldn’t allow that to happen, so they fired him, and all his employees. Guess there’s no such thing as rehabilitation, and forgiveness in the VA. The VA asked about felonies two years prior, not 16, so he didn’t lie to get the contract. When are we going to get rational about sex offenses. Guy was a Veteran, he did something wrong, he paid, and they’re never going to forgive. Punished for life.
Hello and thank you for this group and the assistance provided to veterans such as me. How do apply for a small business loan to invest in building my veteran-owned business? what is the process? I am unsure how to proceed. thank you for any and all assistance.
Respectfully,
Christine ( Livingston ) McQuaid
It is good to know it is being worked on.
As a vet. small business owner . How do I financial aid?