Defense Department (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and NASA have finalized a rule, unchanged from its interim version, to align with the Small Business Administration's (SBA) regulations. This rule implements certain sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022, creating a certification program for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). From January 1, 2024, it requires SDVOSBs to be certified by the SBA to qualify for certain contracts, offering a one-year grace period for those who applied for certification before the end of 2023. The rule addresses public comments but makes no significant changes and aims to transition smoothly from the VA’s previous program with minimal impact on current participants.
Simple Explanation
The government decided that small businesses owned by veterans with disabilities need a special certificate to get certain jobs. They have until the end of 2023 to apply, or they might have to wait a year to get those jobs.