Register here.

OSD is a supporter of FAVOB and focused on putting VOBs to work!!!

Listen to our last Zoom covering "How To" do business with school districts.  

Join FAVOB for a special CONNECTION and NETWORKING reception at the NVSBC VETS24 Conference the afternoon of May 21st from 330-500p.

You will be able to feature your business and network with the expected 2000 Conference attendees. Featured Business sponsorships with pre- and post- event social media promotion, newsletter features and the opportunity to introduce your business at the reception are available.

FAVOB members can register for the entire event or a one-day pass with a special FAVOB discount code.

Please reach out to Stu Smith, ceo@favob.org for more information about featuring your business and the discount code.

This reception is made possible through the amazing partnership and support of NVSBC.

This event will SELL OUT. Register NOW.

Check out the updated VETS24 Conference website that includes the full schedule details of over 70 training sessions: 

• 5 Pre-Conference Sessions 
• 8 General Sessions 
• 36 Business Opportunity Sessions 
• 20+ Showcase Theater Sessions 
• 6 Master Class Sessions 

All of these sessions are led by experts in federal acquisition. From agencies and large primes to successful business owners, industry authors and trusted advisors. Be ready for the conversation. We'll be talking about YOUR business! 

Conference Preparedness Checklist: 

• Download the VETS24 Conference Planner. Your personalized planning guide for the VETS24 Conference is now available! The VETS24 Conference Planner is for all attendees and can be downloaded as a workable Word document or a printable PDF.   
• View VETS24 Conference Focused Training Videos on NVSBC YouTube Channel. Like, Subscribe and View the NVSBC YouTube Channel to get VETS24 focused training in video form! These videos are to help you prepare and NVSBC wants to ensure that you maximize your time and investment by giving you advice and tips to help prepare you for the VETS24 Conference! 
• Register for the PITCH2WIN™ Contest. The PITCH2WIN™ contest, scheduled for Tuesday, May 21st from 3:30-5PM at VETS24, aims to benefit both the audience and contestants alike by refining their pitches for enhanced networking opportunities within the VETS24 exhibit hall. Additionally, participants can expect an enjoyable experience and the chance to win exciting CASH prizes! 
• Register for Matchmaking. VetFedMatch™ is NVSBC’s matchmaking program being offered to all VETS24 Conference attendees on Wednesday, 22 May from 1:00PM to 3:00PM. VetFedMatch leverages NVSBC’s unparalleled knowledge of the Veteran small business marketplace to connect BUYERS (representatives with current requirements from federal agencies and large prime contractors to fill) with qualified Veteran small business SUPPLIERS of services and products to satisfy those requirements. VetFedMatch is quickly becoming the key NVSBC connector leading directly to closed business and net new revenue for your firm! 
• Start networking today! The Marketing & Social Media kits are also available to those of you who are attending, exhibiting, speaking, and sponsoring! Go download your social media graphic kit and don't forget to tag NVSBC and add the #VETS24 hashtag to your post!!

 NASA KSC Prime Contractors. These hour-long webinars are  hosted by the Office of Small Business Programs - Kennedy Space Center. 

Tuesday, May 7

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

How to do Business with Salas O’Brien

Click here to register

Tuesday, June 5

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

How to do Business with United Launch Alliance

Click here to register

Tuesday, July 2

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

Doing Business with A-P-T Research, Inc.

Click here to register

Tuesday, August 6

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

How to do Business with Amentum

Click here to register

 

Understanding the Legislation Recognizing the ongoing need to assist returning veterans from the War on Terror, Congress enacted "Vets First" (P.L. 109-461) in 2006.

This directed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prioritize contracts for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). Building upon the success of the VA's model, in March 2024, Representatives Mike Waltz and Jimmy Panetta introduced HR 7401 – Contract Our Vets to expand Vets First to the Department of Defense (DOD). Why HR 7401 Matters for America and Its Veterans The DOD and Small Business Administration (SBA) both claim a recent drop in small business participation in federal government contracts by over 50% in the last 10 years.

With the successful passage of this bill, we anticipate the following improvements:

• Increased Number of Small Businesses: This legislation is estimated to create 30-50,000 new SDVOSBs.

• Job Creation: Expands Vets First to the Department of Defense, creating over 200,000 new jobs for veterans, thus, reducing unemployment rates in this demographic.

• Veteran Employment: Increased veteran hiring by veteran-owned businesses, providing meaningful employment and aiding in their transition to civilian life, therefore, reducing veteran suicides.

• Positive Financial Impact: Increased #s of small businesses fosters competition, leading to government cost savings.

• Readiness: By promoting veteran entrepreneurship, this policy enhances military readiness, attracting motivated individuals who envision success beyond their military careers.

Take Action Contact members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and House Small Business Committee (HSBC), urging them to support and co-sponsor HR 7401 TODAY!

Please contact Chase Neuhausen ( chase@gpsfederal.com ) or Roger Mahar ( roger@gpsfederal.com )for assistance and contact information.

Veteran Entrepreneurship Initiative Unlock the secrets to crafting a winning business pitch at our exclusive workshop on April 3rd from 6:00 pm-8:30 pm! Are you ready to take your business to new heights? Whether you're seeking investment or aiming to impress stakeholders, mastering the art of pitching is essential for success. That's why we're thrilled to invite you to our upcoming Business Pitch Fundamentals Workshop! Event Details: Date: April 3rd, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Location: National Entrepreneurship Initiative  Registration Link During this immersive session, you'll learn proven techniques for creating impactful pitch decks, captivating your audience with storytelling, and maximizing your persuasive abilities. Our expert speakers will guide you through the process, providing practical tips on public speaking, building trust, and structuring your pitch for maximum impact. But that's not all! If you're a VEI alumni and aspire to compete in the statewide pitch competition, this workshop is a must-attend. Let us know of your interest during the event, and we'll ensure you're considered for this exciting opportunity. Remember, VEI alumni always win—we're proud of our track record of success, and we want you to be a part of it! Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your pitch game and position your business for success. Reserve your spot today and embark on a journey to unlock your full potential! We look forward to seeing you there!

Register Here

Don't forget to check out our website for updates on upcoming events, as well as follow us on our social media channels!

See More Events

VEI is a largely recognized Veteran-led company that focuses on helping Veteran entrepreneurs succeed. VEI has been in operation since 2013, and provides educational classes, specialty training, and offers coaching and mentoring for its members.

Julo Global is happy to announce an exciting opportunity that makes starting a business or growing your current business as easy as... pie! (Happy Pi Day! )

Introducing newly added VIRTUAL JULO CEO Mindset Cohorts - starting as early as next week! The virtual cohorts provide the same experience as our in-person cohorts, including actionable strategies, helpful tools, and A-ha Moments (or "JULO Moments" as we like to say) to help you build your business, find clients, increase revenue, and prepare for success. They also offer the same unique and transformative round-table discussions with other CEOs and entrepreneurs as our in-person cohorts. The biggest difference is that this cohort is offered at a fraction of the price AND you can join us straight from your favorite chair in the house! (Preferably at a desk or table. )

Virtual cohorts are offered at $1250 (a 50% discount from regular price), and financing is available on our website here. If you want to start a business or grow your current business, this class is for you - no matter where you live!

Even better - VETERAN SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE! Limited scholarships are generously provided by Veterans Florida to help eligible Florida veterans transition out of the service and into entrepreneurship. Requirements include:

1. Have veteran status (or will be a veteran within 12 months)

2. Reside in the state of Florida

3. Have a business or plan to start a business

*These veteran scholarships are limited, apply now to reserve your scholarship.

Upcoming Virtual Cohorts and How to Apply:

There are two upcoming virtual cohorts to choose from -

1. Thursday evenings, starting next week, March 21st for 8 weeks

The deadline to apply is March 18th.

2. Wednesday evenings, starting April 24th for 8 weeks

The deadline to apply is April 21st.

 APPLY HERE: https://bit.ly/juloceomindsetphase1  

This application will take about 15 minutes to complete. You are able to save your application and complete it later. Veterans must include a copy of their DD214. After you submit your application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to sign up for a Discovery Call so we can go over your application and the program details! It's a great time to ask questions about the cohort.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting its 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC), which offers a total of $50,000 to $200,000 in prize awards to organizations seeking to foster a national innovation support ecosystem to advance small business research and development (R&D) from ideas to commercial market.

Who: SBA welcomes Stage One submissions from a broad range of organizations from the United States and territories, including D.C. and Puerto Rico with a collaborative vision to nurture a national ecosystem for equitable access to entrepreneurship.

What: Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, announced the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) offering a total of $50,000 to $200,000 in prize awards to organizations seeking to foster a national innovation support ecosystem to advance small business research and development (R&D) from ideas to the commercial market.

Prizes awarded in Two Stages

• Stage One: $50,000 in cash prizes awarded to organizations for ecosystem-building activities, including recruitment of new partners, and strengthening existing alliances among stakeholders (including public, private, non-profit, and academic partners). Contestants work collaboratively with chosen partners to bring additional resources, deepen network connections, and develop strategies to support STEM/R&D-focused entrepreneurs and small businesses. SBA welcomes Stage One submissions from a broad range of organizations with a collaborative vision to nurture a national ecosystem for equitable access to entrepreneurship.

• Stage Two of the Competition offers an additional $50,000 to $150,000 in cash prizes to eligible Stage One winners to provide direct assistance to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups that are looking to commercialize their innovation, from R&D to the commercial market. A Federal agency partner may also elect to provide a Bonus Prize to one or more Stage One contestants focused on a priority area of the agency partner’s choice. Bonus Prize winners are awarded from the pool of Stage One contestants.

Note: The Competition is not intended to provide capital directly to companies for R&D projects.

Where & When: The Stage One application portal opens on January 8, 2024 for a six-week window, closing on February 16, 2024. SBA expects to award up to $3,000,000 in cash prizes for Stage One and intends to announce winners for Stage One by April 2024. Stage Two submission period is May 1 – June 28. SBA intends to announce winners for Stage Two by September 2024.

To access the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Guidelines and Application Portal, please visit https://www.americasseedfund.us/accelerators

FAVOB does business with VAUSA! Chris Borrelli is our virtual Executive Assistant in Largo, FL.  

VAUSA is a FAVOB member in Georgia! 

VAUSA® is currently hiring for multiple remote positions, and we believe that your connections may include individuals who possess the unique skills and dedication that we value!

If you're thinking, "How can I help?" then don't worry. It's easy and will only take you a few seconds to make an incredible difference in the lives of military families around the country. Simply share the image above or forward this email to share the opportunity with your network! 

Your ongoing support of our mission to create job opportunities and foster a sense of community for military families is invaluable to us. We deeply appreciate the positive impact we've been able to make together so far and look forward to the possibility of welcoming new members to the VAUSA® family soon.

Connect here.

Our national GOVCON partner NVSBC has worked tirelessly to to make this happen.  

Congress increases the Government-wide goal for awards to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses from 3% to 5% in a victory for NVSBC, Veterans and American small business.

For years, the National Veterans Small Business Coalition (NVSBC) has advocated that Congress increase the Government-wide goal for awards to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) from three percent to five percent. NVSBC is excited to announce this change in the signed version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024.

“This milestone victory comes at a time when Veterans in government contracting are providing tremendous value to our nation and to the government, serving again, this time as business owners,” says Scott Jensen, NVSBC’s Executive Director. “We Veterans look forward to continuing to deliver value to federal agencies and the American people.”

Throughout 2022 and 2023, NVSBC leadership collaborated with Members of Congress and Professional Staff on the Senate and House Small Business and Armed Services Committees, urging them to increase the SDVOSB set aside goal and to act more decisively to eliminate self-certification by SDVOSB subcontractors.

Together with the five percent increase, the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA prohibits the government from counting awards to self-certified SDVOSBs toward its prime and subcontracting goals, closing a major loophole in certification requirements.

“Our coalition represents the 40,000 Veteran owned firms across America seeking to do work with the federal government,” explains NVSBC’s Scott Jensen. “About 12,000 of these Veteran business owners currently have contracts to provide products or services to federal agencies. Federal agencies contract with SDVOSB firms to support every category of products and services including construction, information technology, home health services, supply chain logistics, and janitorial services. SDVOSB firms support every agency in every state and all US 14 territories.”

The five percent goal becomes effective with the President signing the NDAA into law. In addition, the prohibition on the government counting awards made to self-certified SDVOSBs at the subcontract level is expected to be effective October 1, 2024. Of note, government awards of prime contracts to self-certified SDVOSBs were prohibited in the 2021 NDAA which became effective January 1, 2024.

Adds Jensen, “It’s been a long road, but SDVOSBs – Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses – can look forward to our long-desired five percent set-aside. It’s smart policy to use Veteran entrepreneurs, known to deliver the best-in-class performance.

Said NVSBC’s Board President, Ed Tuorinsky in a statement: “This is a huge win for us, a win for Veterans, their families and an economic boon for communities across America.”

Learn more about the NVSBC by clicking here.

Did you know that state governments are the largest consumers of goods and services in the country? Join us on Marching Forward Monday to learn how to access this marketplace.

On January 15th, 2024, at 2pm ET, Courtney Iversen, Deputy Chief Cooperative Procurement Officer: Supplier Development at NASPO (National Association of State Procurement Officials), will be presenting a webinar titled "Opportunity: NASPO Exchange 2024". This webinar will provide valuable insights into the upcoming NASPO Exchange, a premier event where you can meet procurement department buyers from over 40 state governments, all in one place.

Here are the details of the webinar:
Date: January 15th, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Presenter: Courtney Iversen, Deputy Chief Cooperative Procurement Officer: Supplier Development, NASPO
Topic: "Opportunity: NASPO Exchange 2024"

Registration Link: www.navoba.org/NASPO