Every now and then a subject will grab me by the gut and yank me out of the Fluff Zone. Recently, through a message board, one such matter came to my attention. Although it's an American issue and my life will not be affected, it matters to me. Why? Quite simply, this offends my basic sense of right and wrong on such a deep level I can't not do something.
Unfortunately, there isn't a lot I can do...but the very least is to blog about it to help get the word out to American readers and friends. I hope people will pass it along to everyone they know, ask them to do the same - through email, links, and blogs - and that Americans will ACT on it.
The following is an exerpt of a letter from LCDR (Ret.) Tom Rancich to his congressional representative, Congressman Delahunt.
"...the less than favorable treatment of Service Disabled Veteran Owned businesses by the Federal Government. Unlike Small Business Administration 8A (SBA 8A) small disadvantaged businesses, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVO) receive no priority with regard to federal contracting. In fact, SDVOs fall behind 8A's with regard to "preference" and contracting advantages. The Veterans Benefits Act (PL 108-183) of 2003 gives Federal Procurement Officers the "Discretionary Authority" to restrict contract awards to SDVOSBs, but not a mandate to do so. Even then the restriction has caveats, making it nearly useless:
1. If at least two SDVOSBs are qualified to bid, agencies can restrict bidding to just such firms; and,
2. If only one SDVOSB is qualified to do the job, an agency can sole source if it knows that the firm can handle up to: $5 Million in manufacturing or $3 Million for other contract (services).
The ridiculously low goal set by the Federal Government for use of SDVOs is 3%, with no action taken against large businesses who fail to meet that goal. It is my fervent belief that a Service Disabled Veteran, particularly if the disability is combat related compensable, should receive at least the same preferential treatment as the highest handicapped small business. Our disadvantage is the result of service to our country, not one created by luck of birth. In the wake of the Walter Reed debacle, this is another example where disabled veterans are out of sight and out of mind once the fighting, for them, is over."
Parity with 8As...seems to me that's the absolute minimum disabled Vets could expect from the country they served - their service is the very reason their lives became irrevocably changed! Facing a future filled with limitations they neither wanted nor asked for, these hard-working, well-trained and motivated professionals deserve the equal opportunity to put their skills to work for the country that trained them before sending them into harm's way. The wars on terrorism and in Iraq guarantee an influx of seriously disabled kids who need to know that they have a productive life in front of them. There hasn't been such an immense need for resources to aid disabled Vets since the post-Vietnam era. This isn't about handouts - it's about a level playing field for those who have earned the right - through hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and by putting life and limb on the line for their country.
As it currently stands, SDVO businesses can be excluded from bids set aside for 8As, while 8As have greater latitude for recieving sole source non-competed bids not enjoyed by SDVO. A start-up SDVO can identify niche areas in which no one is currently working, and as soon as the SDVO submits an unsolicited proposal for that work, the contracting agent has to put it out for competition. At this point, not only is the SDVO liable to lose the bid since it doesn't have a lot of prior work, but the idea and niche is divulged! This essentially robs motivated disabled Vets of the incentive to build tax-paying businesses that contribute to the economy and ensure they continue to be productive members of society.
From the discussion on the message board last week, I know I'm not alone in my belief that if an advantage is to be given to certain companies, SDVOs should be at the top of the list. Please join a letter writing campaign and let your Representatives know you believe Veterans disabled in service to their country deserve more than lip-service of your nation's gratitude. After all, protecting your right to speak up and be heard is one thing they were willing to die for.
"I am writing to request your attention relative to a matter I was not aware of. I recently learned from a friend, LCDR (Ret.) Thomas Rancich, that disabled veterans do not receive the same preferential treatment as minority owned and disadvantaged business owners when competing for federal contracts. While I understand the merits of assisting disadvantaged members of our society, I fervently believe that those who have been disadvantaged through service to our country deserve the highest priority.
Mr. Rancich has been in contact with his representative, Congressman Delahunt regarding this matter. I would be most appreciative if you could work with Congressman Delahunt to seek a legislative solution to this injustice."
Find out who your Congressional Representative is and write a similar letter or cut & paste this one. For anyone interested in adding to their Congressman, Commitee Chairs and ranking members names:
House and Senate Committee Members
Veterans Affairs Committee
Daniel Akaka, Chairman, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
Larry Craig, Ranking Member,
Ike Skelton, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Duncan Hunter, Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Small Business Committee
John Kerry, Chairman, Senate Committee on Small Business
Olympia Snowe, Ranking Member, House Committee on Small Business
Nydia Velasquez, Chairman, House Committee on Small Business
Steve Chabot, Ranking Member, House Comittee on Small Business(and a Subcommittee on Contracting)
Armed Services Committee
Carl Levin, Chairman, Armed Services Senate Committee
John McCain, Ranking Member, "
Ben Nelson, Armed Services Senate SubCommittee on Personnel
Lindsey Graham, Ranking Member "
Thanks to:
Lisa & Chris for links, and to Tom - for permission to c&p, plaigirize the heck out of the letters, and especially for taking on this fight - I wish you the best of luck! : )
Unfortunately, there isn't a lot I can do...but the very least is to blog about it to help get the word out to American readers and friends. I hope people will pass it along to everyone they know, ask them to do the same - through email, links, and blogs - and that Americans will ACT on it.
The following is an exerpt of a letter from LCDR (Ret.) Tom Rancich to his congressional representative, Congressman Delahunt.
"...the less than favorable treatment of Service Disabled Veteran Owned businesses by the Federal Government. Unlike Small Business Administration 8A (SBA 8A) small disadvantaged businesses, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVO) receive no priority with regard to federal contracting. In fact, SDVOs fall behind 8A's with regard to "preference" and contracting advantages. The Veterans Benefits Act (PL 108-183) of 2003 gives Federal Procurement Officers the "Discretionary Authority" to restrict contract awards to SDVOSBs, but not a mandate to do so. Even then the restriction has caveats, making it nearly useless:
1. If at least two SDVOSBs are qualified to bid, agencies can restrict bidding to just such firms; and,
2. If only one SDVOSB is qualified to do the job, an agency can sole source if it knows that the firm can handle up to: $5 Million in manufacturing or $3 Million for other contract (services).
The ridiculously low goal set by the Federal Government for use of SDVOs is 3%, with no action taken against large businesses who fail to meet that goal. It is my fervent belief that a Service Disabled Veteran, particularly if the disability is combat related compensable, should receive at least the same preferential treatment as the highest handicapped small business. Our disadvantage is the result of service to our country, not one created by luck of birth. In the wake of the Walter Reed debacle, this is another example where disabled veterans are out of sight and out of mind once the fighting, for them, is over."
Parity with 8As...seems to me that's the absolute minimum disabled Vets could expect from the country they served - their service is the very reason their lives became irrevocably changed! Facing a future filled with limitations they neither wanted nor asked for, these hard-working, well-trained and motivated professionals deserve the equal opportunity to put their skills to work for the country that trained them before sending them into harm's way. The wars on terrorism and in Iraq guarantee an influx of seriously disabled kids who need to know that they have a productive life in front of them. There hasn't been such an immense need for resources to aid disabled Vets since the post-Vietnam era. This isn't about handouts - it's about a level playing field for those who have earned the right - through hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and by putting life and limb on the line for their country.
As it currently stands, SDVO businesses can be excluded from bids set aside for 8As, while 8As have greater latitude for recieving sole source non-competed bids not enjoyed by SDVO. A start-up SDVO can identify niche areas in which no one is currently working, and as soon as the SDVO submits an unsolicited proposal for that work, the contracting agent has to put it out for competition. At this point, not only is the SDVO liable to lose the bid since it doesn't have a lot of prior work, but the idea and niche is divulged! This essentially robs motivated disabled Vets of the incentive to build tax-paying businesses that contribute to the economy and ensure they continue to be productive members of society.
From the discussion on the message board last week, I know I'm not alone in my belief that if an advantage is to be given to certain companies, SDVOs should be at the top of the list. Please join a letter writing campaign and let your Representatives know you believe Veterans disabled in service to their country deserve more than lip-service of your nation's gratitude. After all, protecting your right to speak up and be heard is one thing they were willing to die for.
"I am writing to request your attention relative to a matter I was not aware of. I recently learned from a friend, LCDR (Ret.) Thomas Rancich, that disabled veterans do not receive the same preferential treatment as minority owned and disadvantaged business owners when competing for federal contracts. While I understand the merits of assisting disadvantaged members of our society, I fervently believe that those who have been disadvantaged through service to our country deserve the highest priority.
Mr. Rancich has been in contact with his representative, Congressman Delahunt regarding this matter. I would be most appreciative if you could work with Congressman Delahunt to seek a legislative solution to this injustice."
Find out who your Congressional Representative is and write a similar letter or cut & paste this one. For anyone interested in adding to their Congressman, Commitee Chairs and ranking members names:
House and Senate Committee Members
Veterans Affairs Committee
Daniel Akaka, Chairman, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
Larry Craig, Ranking Member,
Ike Skelton, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Duncan Hunter, Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Small Business Committee
John Kerry, Chairman, Senate Committee on Small Business
Olympia Snowe, Ranking Member, House Committee on Small Business
Nydia Velasquez, Chairman, House Committee on Small Business
Steve Chabot, Ranking Member, House Comittee on Small Business(and a Subcommittee on Contracting)
Armed Services Committee
Carl Levin, Chairman, Armed Services Senate Committee
John McCain, Ranking Member, "
Ben Nelson, Armed Services Senate SubCommittee on Personnel
Lindsey Graham, Ranking Member "
Thanks to:
Lisa & Chris for links, and to Tom - for permission to c&p, plaigirize the heck out of the letters, and especially for taking on this fight - I wish you the best of luck! : )
6 comments:
Thanks, R&R! I was just talking to someone on the phone about this today. I was going to do a search and rescue off the BB to find the post. You have saved me the trouble! I will work on getting those letters out right away!!
There are many good points in your article. I would like to supplement them with some information.
For an all-volunteer site, dedicated to small businesses who wish to succeed in federal government contracting, please see the below site:
http://www.smalltofeds.blogspot.com/
The federal government will contract in excess of $80B to small businesses in the next fiscal year.
There are over 50 agencies or "Departments" in the federal government. Each of these agencies has a statutory obligation to contract from small business for over 20% of everything it buys.
Contracting officers must file reports annually demonstrating they have fulfilled this requirement. Not fulfilling the requirement can put agency annual funding in jeopardy. Small business has a motivated customer in federal government contracting officers and buyers.
Large business, under federal procurement law, must prepare and submit annual "Small Business Contracting Plans" for approval by the local Defense Contract Management Area Office (DCMAO) nearest their headquarters. These plans must include auditable statistics regarding the previous 12 month period in terms of contracting to small businesses and the goals forecast for the next year.
The federal government can legally terminate a contract in a large business for not meeting small business contracting goals. Approved small business plans must accompany large business contract proposals submitted to federal government agencies. Small businesses have motivated customers in large business subcontract managers, administrators and buyers.
There are set-aside opportunities available for small entities,veterans, disabled veterans, women and minorities. All it takes is navigating the system, persistance, asking questions, registering, marketing, teaming and working hard.
Small Business is good at that.
Rock on Tweet!! I have written to my reps in Congress and to Senators Levin and Stabanow. Disabled Vets like Tom deserve so much better than what is sadly offered to them. Case in point-Walter Reed. In the richest nation in the world, this is a sad reflection of what is "important" to my government. Someone posted that you just need to "navigate the waters"- my point is: Men and women like Tom shouldn't have to...V:0)
Great links (thanks Chris and Lisa) but most especially, thank YOU Robyn for putting it all together for us. When I get home, I'll rustle up some more letters ... it's a great cause. Just sad that this needs to be done: seems so unfair to the vets. But I think it might have been Tom who said it's been this way since time immemorial in the States. Just really shameful!
ROSECOVERED GLASSES: Thank you for the information. I visited your blog and hope you won't mind that I add a link. Most of all, THANK YOU for your years of service and the tremendous sacrifices you have made.
BRIGADE: You never cease to amaze me in your willingness to help a friend. I'm honoured to be in such classy company : )
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