NVSBC Takes Stand on T-4

Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20420

Dear Secretary Shinseki:

On behalf of the veteran small business owners that comprise the National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC) we seek your guidance. Recently VA announced an “on ramp” for veteran and service disabled veteran owned small businesses to participate in T-4. At this time of severe budget challenges, VA’s approach provides an appearance of “not delivering value” to either VA or your veteran constituency.

We have heard you loud and clear, but VA’s actions create the perception that your words are hollow. During the past two years the veteran small business community has heard you in New Orleans, Detroit and other venues discuss your personal commitment to the veteran and service disabled veteran owned small businesses of this nation. Yet, we are seeing a decline in the percentage of awards to veteran and service disabled veteran owned small businesses during the past two years. In fact, contrary to your speech in Detroit, upon completion, or without exercising option years, several successful SDVOSB contracts have been moved to the T-4 contract vehicle. We are disheartened by the results we are seeing as we believed VA was established in part to help small veteran businesses.

During the industry briefing on December 10th VA staff announced that only one award was planned to be made at this time through the exercise of Section H.2 of the original solicitation which allows for an “on ramp”. The NVSBC is concerned about this strategy. There are hundreds of very capable veteran and service disabled veteran owned small businesses providing information services to various government agencies. The time and expense necessary for a small business to develop a winning T-4 proposal and the cost to VA to develop this “on ramp” and review proposals are substantial. Limiting the opportunity to only one or possibly two awards does not appear to provide value for either VA or the veteran and services disabled veteran owned small business community. In fact, if going to the expense of this acquisition, why not consider a separate SDVOSB and VOSB set-aside just like the original T-4. It could be limited to a reasonable number of awards, between five and ten and have it run for five full years to provide the VA with overlap to the current T-4 contract. This would make much more business sense.

VA has a unique opportunity with the T-4 “on ramp” provide value to the taxpayers by implementing a strategy that grows, rather than shrinks, the veteran owned business industrial base. It’s good for VA, good for the veterans, and good for our country. We ask that you encourage your staff to seek win-win solutions with the veteran community and use the T-4 on-ramp as a first step.

Respectfully;
Scott Denniston
Executive Director

For copy of actual letter please click the following link: PDF