Vienna, VA, April 27, 2009—Testifying before the U.S. Congress last week on policies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other Federal agencies use to award contracts to Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, MicroTech President and CEO Tony Jimenez said he was disappointed in the progress being made across the government to reach the “Three Percent” rule — awarding 3% of noncompetitive contracts to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.

MicroTech is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and one of the most highly-regarded and fastest-growing network and IT enterprise management  providers, offering Information Technology Systems and Services, Strategic Solutions, Audio-Visual Telecommunications Design and Installation, Product Solutions, and Consulting Services primarily to the Federal Government, and city, state, and local agencies – managing over 400,000 IT users daily.

It’s been nearly four years since President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13360 requiring Federal agencies to provide three percent (3%) of all contracting opportunities to SDVOSBs. In 2008, more than 15,000 SDVOSBs were registered in the Central Contracting Register (CCR), the primary registrant database for the Federal government.

Speaking before the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, at an April 23, 2009 hearing on “Contracts and Contracting Policy at the VA” Jimenez expressed concern at how long it was taking Federal Agencies to meet the 3% mandate.  Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), the subcommittee Chairwoman, commended Jimenez for his insights, recommendations and continued business success.

“Less than a handful of all agencies have been successful in achieving that annual goal,” Jimenez said. “Overall, contract opportunities for the Veteran Small Business field are falling short of acceptable industry benchmarks. Significant improvements need to be enacted to correct systemic problems that limit procurement opportunities for Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran business owners.”  Representative John Boozman (R-AR), ranking minority member on the subcommittee, highlighted the importance of obtaining such direct feedback from small business advocates and Veteran Entrepreneurs.

A highly decorated combat veteran and former federal contracting officer himself, Jimenez offered possible solutions to the dilemma, including limiting Sole Sourcing contracts and discouraging Contract Bundling because they adversely impact competition and restrict competition, enforcing existing Mandatory Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Guidelines, and establishing a Mentor-Protégé program at the Small Business Administration focused on Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.

Jimenez conceded that the VA has been exemplary in awarding contracts to Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). Three years ago, Congress passed the Veterans Benefits, Health Care and Information Technology Act calling for the VA to offer more contracting opportunities to businesses like MicroTech. The law reinforces President Bush's 2004 executive order mandating similar contracting requirements.

Based on Small Business Administration statistics from just a year earlier, only a small number of Federal agencies met the 3% goal and many fell way short of the mark, awarding only about 2.5% of contracts to VOSBs, and a weak less-than- 1% to SDVOSBs.

Jimenez feels strongly that in order to increase opportunities for Veterans and Service-Disabled Veterans who are also business owners, the Federal government must implement clearer guidance, improve oversight, and effectively enforce current policy.
 
“The Veteran Small Business community is not asking for a “hand out,” but a “hand up,” Jimenez reiterated. “Keep the Playing Field level for businesses of all sizes. Limit Sole Sourcing, reform Contract Bundling, and recognize the value of Veteran Entrepreneurs.”

Read the testimony »

 

MicroTechnologies LLC, (d.b.a. MicroTech), is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, and 8(a) Small Business (SDVOSB) and delivers robust process-driven performance for mission success.  MicroTech applies its regimented process, enterprise IT experience, and state-of-the-art engineering solutions to integrate different technologies and create proven results that respond to clients' strategic needs.  MicroTech is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Symantec Managed Services Partner, Tandberg Platinum Partner, Autonomy Added Value Reseller, VMware Professional Partner, EMC Velocity Partner, Adobe Solutions Partner, and Polycom Premier Partner. With four-year growth of over 1000%, MicroTech has been named to Inc. Magazine’s prestigious Inc. 500, ranking the 500 fastest growing private companies, Washington Business Journal's Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies, Hispanic Business’ HB500 – a Top 500 Hispanic-Owned Business, and Washington Technology's Top 25 8(a), recognizing the most successful 8(a) businesses in the Government marketplace. Externally certified and appraised in ISO 9001:2000, MicroTech is headquartered just outside the Nation’s Capital in Vienna, Virginia, with key offices in Richmond, Greensboro, North Carolina, Huntsville, Alabama; and Colorado Springs, Colorado.