Setting business aside

Key provisions of the set-aside for service-disabled veteran-owned

businesses:

Sets rules for the use of provisions in the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 by amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Allows contracting officers to restrict competitions to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses if there is a reasonable expectation that two or more will submit offers.

Allows a sole-source award if there is not a reasonable expectation of more than one bid and if the anticipated contract will not exceed $5 million for manufacturing or $3 million for other work.

To qualify, service-disabled veterans must own at least 51 percent of a private company or at least 51 percent of the stock of a public company. A service-disabled veteran must also control the management and daily operation of the business, or be the spouse or permanent caregiver of a severely disabled veteran.