VetBiz SDVOSB Status
Mathieu & Associates, LLC has been listed in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) VetBiz Vendor Information Pages (VIP) as a Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE)-verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) since 2010.
The Vets First Contracting Program within the VA is a contracting program created for both Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). The governing regulations are set forth at 38 CFR 74.
For Immediate Release – May 8, 2019
Washington DC – U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) Re-Verifies Mathieu & Associates, LLC’s Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Status
The Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) has completed its evaluation of Mathieu & Associates, LLC’s eligibility for its Veterans First Program, and we have been re-verified for the fifth-time as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and eligible to compete for SDVOSB set-aside opportunities. Mathieu & Associates will remain eligible to participate in Veterans First and other SDVOSB set-aside contracting program opportunities for 3-years.
The Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE)
The VA’s Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) administers the verification process. This process requires veteran businesses to undergo a rigorous document review process. Once a company is verified, it is listed in the VA’s VetBiz VIP as a company eligible to compete for VA VOSB and SDVOSB set-aside contracts. Verification is good for two years unless a change in the business occurs prior to that which renders it ineligible to participate in the Vets First Contracting Program.
Criteria for Participation
Businesses eligible to participate in the Veterans First Contracting Program must meet the VA’s definition of a “service-disabled veteran-owned small business” or a “veteran-owned small business.” This requires the business to show that it is both “owned” and “controlled” by a veteran. Both of these terms have specific meanings.
Ownership: A business must be “not less than 51%…owned by one or more service disabled veterans, or in the case of any publicly owned business, (has) not less than 51% of the stock owned by one or more service disabled veterans, the management and daily business operations of which is controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans, or, in the case of a veteran with a severe and permanent disability, a spouse or permanent caregiver of the veteran.” In other words, the business must be at least 51% directly and unconditionally owned by a veteran. (See 38 CFR 74.3).
Control: “Control” means both the day-to-day management and long-term decisionmaking authority. In determining whether a business is veteran-controlled, one of the most important factors the CVE will examine is the business’ corporate documents, which must clearly demonstrate veteran control. Corporate documents must show that the veteran is the highest-ranked officer, contain language demonstrating how the veteran controls the day-to-day operations and strategic policy, and must make it clear that important company decisions cannot occur without the veteran’s presence and consent. (See 38 CFR 74.4).
Businesses must qualify as “small” under the applicable NAICS code. However, the VA will not make a size determination. When the veteran business owner completes Form 0877 to initiate their application, they must self-certify that their business qualifies as “small.”
Benefits of the Veterans First Program
Approved businesses are eligible to participate in VOSB and SDVOSB set-asides issued by VA. They are eligible to subcontract with VA’s large prime contractors in acquisitions where additional evaluation credit is given for such subcontracting relationships. They may also participate in the VA’s Veteran-Owned Small Business Mentor-Protégé Program.
*For additional information on the Veterans First Program, visit http://www.va.gov/osdbu/verification/.