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Bill Would Improve Opportunities for Veteran-Owned Businesses
The Chamber’s effort to promote procurement goals for Pennsylvania’s Veteran-owned businesses is looking brighter. Senate Bill 87, legislation designed to promote the growth and success of Pennsylvania’s 217,560 veteran-owned businesses, was passed by a vote of 50-0 in the Senate on June 20, and was then referred to the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
The bill would set an annual goal of 5% participation by veteran-owned businesses in all contracts awarded by Commonwealth purchasing agencies. Such targets currently exist for businesses owned by women and minorities. Under the measure, the Department of General Services would promote and assist veteran-owned businesses in learning how to do business with the state and other large corporate entities. The Department would also compile a list of Veteran-owned businesses to encourage procurement.
Introduced by Senator Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson and a bipartisan list of co-sponsors from across Pennsylvania, the measure was passed last year by the Pennsylvania State Senate, 49-0, but unfortunately the Session came to an end before the bill received final consideration in the House.
Tomlinson said the Chamber’s VETWORK YOUR BUSINESS program was a catalyst for this legislation. VETWORK YOUR BUSINESS builds awareness within both veteran and the general communities of the business and contract opportunities available to Veterans.
We encourage you to contact your House representative in support of this legislation. Click here to contact your rep through our Web site.
Recent Press Releases and Support Announcements
- JULY 9, 2007 – Regina C. Stout Wins Award for Work with VETWORK YOUR BUSINESS
MARCH 20, 2006 – SBA To Honor Susan Rossomando Of The Greater Philadelphia Chamber Of Commerce As 2006 Veteran Small Business Co-Champion Of The Year - FEBRUARY 3, 2006 – Greater Philadelphia Chamber Of Commerce Program Helps Veteran Businesses Locate Opportunity With Large Procurement
- DECEMBER 15, 2005 – New Greater Philadephia Chamber of Commerce Program Helps Veteran-Owned Businesses Find Opportunity
Did You Know?
In December 2003, the President of the United States and Congress enacted Public Law 108-183. This law established a preference for the U.S. federal government to contract with Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). This law was enacted as a follow on to P.L. 106-50, which designated that three percent (3%) of the total value of all prime contract and subcontract awards by the federal government be awarded to SDVOSBs. To be classified as a SDVOSB a company must be 51% owned and controlled by a service disabled veteran, and this individual or their spouse must be able to “self-represent” this status by providing appropriate discharge papers upon request with disability letter, and for Veterans it is the DD-214.