State Veteran Business Programs

State Veteran Business Program Assistance Service

While many veterans who start businesses focus on federal programs, there are many programs at the state level that are equally impactful in helping them meet their goals. There are currently 14 states across the country that have programs that provide support to veteran-owned businesses by giving them preferential treatment in procuring certain contracts. This list will only grow as more and more states look to honor and support the veteran business population.

Each state program has its own set of advantages, including preferences for contract procurement and set-asides. We continually monitor each program. Below is key information for each state:

*Arkansas: MBE – In this program, service-disabled veterans are included in the Minority Business Enterprise program. No less than 5 percent of state contracts are awarded to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, this includes set-asides
California: DVBE – No less than 3 percent of state contracts awarded to DVBE companies. This is done via several initiatives, including the “SB/DVBE Option” (aka set-aside) when agencies submit bids for services, information technology, goods, and public works projects. Work valued at $5 -250K requires at least two quotes from DVBE companies.
Florida: VBE & SDVBE – Veteran Business Enterprise & Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Programs. When considering two or more commodities or services bids/proposals that are equal in all relevant considerations, including price, quality, and service; the award shall be made to the SDVBE or VBE company.
Illinois: VBP – Illinois’ universities and state agencies are encouraged to allocate no less than 3 percent of procurement budgets to hiring certified Veteran-owned businesses.
Indiana: VBE – Through the Veterans Business Enterprise Program, at least 3 percent of state contracts are awarded to veteran-owned small businesses. This does not include requirements for public works projects.
New York: VCP – In New York, the Veterans Contract Program awards 6 percent of all state contracts to companies that are SDVOSB-certified. Their process uses several set-asides, among other mechanisms.
Maryland: VOSB & SDVOSB – Maryland supports Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses through several programs. These programs allot 2-8 percent preference on government contracts for VOSB & SDVOSB businesses (depending on company size). An SDVOSB can bid up to 8 percent lower than a non-preference business if that business had the lowest bid.
Massachusetts: SDVOBE – The state of Massachusetts has a benchmark 3 percent for the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise Program certified companies for commodity, construction, services, and design contracts.
Michigan: QDV – In Michigan, it’s called the Qualified Disabled Veterans Program. Service-disabled veterans may receive procurement preference up to 10 percent on state contracts. The state has a noble goal for state contracts of up to five percent to service-disabled veteran-owned companies.
Minnesota: Veteran-owned small businesses may receive up to 6 percent procurement preference when pursuing contracts from state agencies (this preference is applicable for up to $500,000 of the response). On state-funded highway construction projects, companies led by veterans or service-disabled veterans may receive preference for evaluation. This comes out to six percent of the bid value and may not exceed $60,000 in value.
*Virginia: The goal is to have forty percent of state contracts may go to Virginia’s SWaM program participants (service-disabled veteran-led companies). SWaM also includes minority and women businesses and set-aside tactics help support this goal.
Oregon: DVB – Through the Disabled Veteran Business Program in Oregon, agencies may require a contractor to subcontract a portion of contracts to disabled veteran-led companies.
Washington: VOBP – In Washington, state agencies are motivated to award five percent of contracts to Veteran or Service Member Owned Businesses.
Wisconsin: DVOB – In the state of Wisconsin, up to five percent procurement on state purchases may go to disabled veteran-led companies

Eligibility Criteria

These states share these common criteria:

United States citizen
Owned by one or more disabled veterans of the U.S. military, naval, or air service
For-profit company
Veteran owner must be an operator of the company
Service-connected disability (the minimum disability percentage varies by program)

Some required documents include (varies by business-type)

Articles of Incorporation.
Business license.
3 years of Federal Income Tax Returns for the business
Resume(s) for Disabled Veterans (education, knowledge, and qualifications).
Minutes to Board of Director’s and Shareholder’s meetings, if applicable
Bylaws with Amendments (if applicable).
Stock Transfer Ledger and Stock Certificates (if applicable).

*Additional documentation may be required as needed to show proof of domicile, or address business ownership

State Veteran Business Program Assistance Service – $1,800

Client Testimonials

Ravi Vasist - President, EG Management Services, Inc:

“I highly recommend Lindsay Thompson to obtain an SBA approved 8(a) certification, 8(a) annual report, Mentor-protégé agreement and Joint-Venture agreement. EG Management Services Inc. has been working with Lindsay since 2011. She helped us to get a SBA approved 8(a) certification as well as a SBA approved Mentor-protégé agreement and it felt effortless. EGMS would like to thank Lindsay for her hard work that provided the best results possible.”

Stephen Rolston - Principal, Rolston Information Systems Assurance, LLC:

“Working with Lindsay these past few years has been a wonderful experience. She effortlessly walked me through the process to obtain my business’ 8(a) certification and helped me prepare our annual 8(a) report. In both instances she was responsive, well-organized and extremely detail-oriented. I can’t thank her enough for helping my business obtain and maintain our 8(a) certification through the Small Business Administration. I look forward to working with her again in the future to help us fulfill all of our SBA requirements. I trust no one else more than her to get the job done right the first time.”

Hugh A. House Jr - President, Eagle Engineering & Development Land, Inc:

“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Lindsay on several projects over the last few years. She is professional, knowledgeable, and thorough and completed everything ahead of schedule. We have recommended her multiple times to other companies and intend to hire her again for all relevant future projects. We appreciate her help and expertise.”

Founder and CEO, Amivero:

“I have had the pleasure of working with Lindsay on my firm’s 8a application. Lindsay helped navigate me through the process and made sure we submitted a complete and accurate application to SBA. Although my application required a social disadvantaged narrative, as I am a Caucasian woman business owner, Lindsay helped me to prepare a solid narrative and was able to get my firm 8(a) certified. Thank you to LIBERTY8a for your assistance and guidance through this entire process.”