The landscape for veteran-owned small businesses in federal contracting is experiencing significant positive changes, in large part thanks to the dedicated advocacy efforts of organizations like the National Veterans Small Business Coalition (NVSBC). In a recent episode of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, we sat down with NVSBC Executive Director Scott Jensen and explored the organization’s recent achievements and new initiatives that are reshaping opportunities for veteran business owners in the federal marketplace.
Recent Legislative Victories
One of NVSBC’s most significant recent accomplishments has been their collaborative work with the Small Business Administration (SBA) during the transition of the veteran-owned business certification process from the Veterans Administration to the SBA. This shift meant that the certification would go from applying to just the VA–to all 24 federal agencies involved in the set-aside program.
Through the NVSBC’s advocacy efforts, the organization helped secure an additional $20 million in funding to support this program’s success. The SBA Administrator has dubbed it the “platinum standard” for certification programs, highlighting its effectiveness and importance.
Perhaps the most impactful recent achievement has been the increase in the veteran-owned business set-aside percentage from 3 percent to 5 percent–a change that represents over $15 billion in additional annual opportunities for veteran-owned businesses. This milestone, according to Jensen, has been “a labor of love in the community for nearly two decades.”
New Initiatives and Growth
The NVSBC has expanded its support services significantly in recent years, formalizing several programs that were previously provided informally. Those programs include:
- VetFed Consult: A free consulting service providing veteran entrepreneurs with direct access to expertise and guidance
- Mentor-Cohort Program: Structured programs matching experienced business owners with newer entrepreneurs
- VetFed Engage: A program established in 10 markets where they meet in person and establish a mentor cohort in each market for more support.
These programs are supported through partnerships with organizations like the Institute for Veteran and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, enabling NVSBC to provide these services at no cost to veterans.
How You Can Get Involved
The NVSBC offers multiple ways for businesses to engage with their community and initiatives:
- Educational Resources: Their YouTube channel features hundreds of hours of free content on government contracting topics
- Regular Events: Monthly meetings in the Washington DC area and quarterly events in regional markets
- Annual Conference: The VETS conference in Orlando provides three days of immersive networking with key players in the government contracting ecosystem
- Membership: Small businesses can become members and support NVSBC’s advocacy efforts and get discounted access to annual events and conferences.
Importantly, membership and participation in NVSBC events aren’t limited to veteran-owned businesses. The organization welcomes service providers, large corporations, and anyone interested in working with veteran-owned businesses, recognizing that success in the federal marketplace requires collaboration.
Through these efforts, NVSBC is not just advocating for veteran-owned businesses but actively building the infrastructure and community needed for their success. For those interested in learning more or getting involved, visit the NVSBC website for information about upcoming events and membership opportunities.