Verification Assistance Program
Welcome to the VA’s Verification Assistance Program (VAP) website. VA has developed the Verification Assistance Program to help Veterans understand the Verification policy and process. The goal of the program is to reduce the risk of denial due to lack of understanding and misinterpretation of the regulation. To accomplish this objective, we are establishing partnerships with Veteran service and small business support organizations that can provide assistance to Veterans considering applying for the Vet First program.
Why Does My Business Need to be Verified to do Business with VA?
As a part of the VA’s Veterans First Program, contract set-asides are available for Veteran Owned Small Businesses and Service Disabled Small Businesses; however, an applicant must be verified to qualify. Verification is the process by which a Veteran is evaluated and determined eligible to be listed in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database. The Center for Veterans Enterprise is the office within VA that manages the verification process and verifies VOSB/SDVOSBs for inclusion in the VetBiz database.
What Companies Should Know Before Applying for Verification
Verification is not a simple process. In 2012, to date, approximately 58 percent of applications have been denied. Analysis of the denial rates indicates that a significant number of the denials were a result of misunderstanding of 38 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 74, the governing regulation of the Verification process. In an effort to assist applicants with the Verification process, this website will provide you with information that will put you on the path to successful verification.
Start Here
Step 1: Have You Used the Tools and Resources That Are Available to Guide You Through the Verification Process?
Verification Assistance Briefs
In an effort to assist applicants in obtaining Verification for the Veterans First program, the following Verification Assistance Briefs (VAB) have been provided. The VAB were developed in order to clarify the rules associated with 38 CFR 74. They are based on analysis of issues that cause the majority of denials.
Verification Assessment Tool
The Verification Assessment Tool was designed to provide the VOSB/SDVOSB the opportunity to freely navigate the Verification process, while gaining expert knowledge in the areas of eligibility and requirements, as it pertains to specific businesses.
Guide for Applicants
This guide is intended to assist applicants to comply with the regulatory requirements in 38 CFR Part 74, in order to apply for Verification. Whenever this guideline appears inconsistent with 38 CFR Part 74 VA Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Guidelines, the language in 38 CFR Part 74 applies.
Verification Counseling Program
The Verification Counseling Program was developed to provide training and assistance to Verification Assistance partners, who in turn provide Verification counseling to applicants. If you are an applicant in need of counseling on the Verification process, we encourage you to visit the Verification Counseling Program as well.
Steps 2 and 3: Required Documents and Application Instructions
What Types of Documents are Required When Applying for Verification?
Depending on your business type, you will be required to submit certain documents for application into the Vendor Information Pages database.
How to Apply for Verification
Learn how to request verification of your firm. You can also find step-by-step instructions in the Verification Process Briefing. This short briefing provides an overview of the process, screen shots for submitting your application and an explanation of the stages of the process.
Next Steps
Laws and Regulations
Research the laws and regulations that govern the Veterans First Contracting Program.
- 38 CFR § 74—VA Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Guidelines
- 38 U.S.C. §§ 8127/8128 (Veteran Benefits)
- P.L. 111-275, Sec. 104 (Small Business Verification Act)
- 48 C.F.R. Parts 802, 804, 808, 809, 810, 813, 815, 817, 819, 828 & 852 (Veterans First Contracting)
Guide to an Onsite Examination (Site Visit)
Onsite examinations are a part of the Center for Veterans Enterprise review process where upon the completion of the examination of a business applicant, a site visit may be conducted to clarify documentation submitted.
Opportunities for Verified Businesses
Direct Connect Program
The Direct Connect Program assists small businesses in accessing business opportunities with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Direct Connect's Opportunity Showcases provide industry-specific small businesses the ability to market their products and services, face to face, with Program Decision Makers (PDMs).
Doing Business with VA
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has contracting activities for VA Medical Centers (VAMC), VA Central Office in Washington, DC, the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, Federal Business Opportunities, and Subcontracting Opportunities..
Verification Assistance Program
- Home
- Verification Assistance Briefs
- Verification Self Assessment Tool
- Guide for Applicants
- Verification Counseling Program
- Verification Assistance Counselor Training
- PTAC Verification Counselors
Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Program
- Verification Program Home
- Veteran Business Status Verification Instructions
- Average Verification Processing Time
- Verification Success Stories
Portals
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