Preferential Contracts for Veterans: Qualifications and Implications for Industry and Government

Federal agencies strongly support the use of Veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) as contracting resources. Indeed, each federal agency has a set goal of awarding at least three percent of their contracting dollars to businesses owned by Service-Disabled Veterans (SDVOs). These contracting goals have been difficult to achieve, however, because only a relatively small number of Service-Disabled Veterans have formed SDVOs. Therefore, agencies are actively seeking SDVOs as contractors. While VOSBs and SDVOs have significant opportunities, they must be able to master not only the complex rules that apply to government contracting, but also the practical aspects of developing government business. This webinar will explain the opportunities for VOSBs and SDVOs, the unique rules that apply to VOSBs and SDVO, how to find and craft successful business relationships, and how to avoid the pitfalls.

Joseph Petrillo, Angela McNamara and Karen O’Brien

Joseph J. Petrillo has spent almost 40 years in Government contract law. He has advised and represented a wide variety of contractors in the legal aspects of dealing with the Government, including preaward litigation and protests, claims, appeals, and disputes, compliance with regulatory requirements, small business program representation, and debarment and suspension proceedings. He has been active and held leadership positions in both the Government Contracts Section of the FBA and the ABA’s Public Contracts Section. Mr. Petrillo received his undergraduate degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as an Editor of the Georgetown Law Journal.

Angela McNamara is Vice President of Jefferson Consulting Group in Washington, DC. Ms. McNamara provides strategic advice and counsel to private sector firms doing business with the federal government, assisting them in their business development both strategically and tactically. She assists in positioning an organization’s goals with government decision makers, identifying favorable legislative and regulatory strategies, recommending and facilitating successful teaming and/or contracting-out decisions, and developing winning technical and price proposals. She leverages her experience and expertise with the private sector to assist federal agencies in their transition to performance-based organizations. Ms. McNamara provides strategic change management services and acquisition reform advice, counsel and training to many federal departments and agencies, working with cross-functional teams to review existing contracts, define new requirements, establish meaningful metrics, and develop performance-based strategies and solicitations.

Karen O’Brien is a Director at Jefferson Consulting Group in Washington, DC and is a seasoned government contracts attorney and recognized expert on procurement law and acquisition authority. She provides expert assistance to government agencies in a wide range of acquisition services to include developing acquisition plans, analyzing acquisition operations, developing performance-based statements of work, evaluation criteria and source selection plans that meet agencies’ goals and objectives. Ms. O’Brien assists commercial clients in the acquisition process to understand federal regulations and implications for business operations. She also assists them with responses to government solicitations. For performance-based acquisitions, she assists clients with the development of sound metrics, acceptable quality levels, and methods to monitor and track performance, and provides performance-based acquisition training.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about the different programs & opportunities for veterans’ preferences.
• Understand statutory and regulatory rules and policy regarding VOSB and SDVO contractors.
• Understand contract vehicles and the government contracting culture.
• Understand how to qualify for preferential status, and what limitations and pitfalls apply.
• Learn about crafting good business relationships.
• Learn about the Mentor-Protégé program and how to become one at the VA.
• Learn what advantages you will have if you achieve VOSB and SDVO status with the Federal government.
• Learn where to find special contracting opportunities set-aside for VOSB and SDVO contractors.
• And much, much more!

Who Will Benefit

This webinar is a must if you are currently with a veteran-owned company doing business with the government; if you are considering applying for VOSB or SDVO status; if you are a contractor looking to partner with a veteran-owned small business; or, if you are a contractor, subcontractor, supplier, consultant, attorney or government representative working with a veteran-owned small business.

About L2 & PCI

The Public Contracting Institute (PCI) was founded to deliver the best possible acquisition training available anywhere. PCI instructors are nationally recognized experts, experienced practitioners, and highly-qualified professionals, with a wealth of knowledge and experience and proven success in teaching. PCI offers seminars, on-site customized training, and webinars in all facets and at every level of procurement, both to the public and private sectors. L2 Federal Resources, publisher of The Contracting Post, also provides expert-led training events on federal government contracting topics including marketing, project management, dispute resolution and contract law. Contact PCI at PublicContractingInstitute “dot” com.