Disabled Veterans Procurement Preference

On a regular basis we deploy hundreds if not thousands of our young men and women to overseas bases. Opportunities that would normally come to them such as starting and building a new business, are necessarily put on hold. Additionally, if wounded and thus disabled in service to their country, they face additional business start up challenges. In recognition of this sacrifice, the Congress of the United States and our Presidents have passed legislation to offer no less than 3% of federal procurements – not to veterans per se, but to disabled veterans who are trying to start and build a business.

The Members and staff of our Alaska Congressional Delegation are working with the Alaska Veterans Business Alliance (an Alaskan nonprofit corporation headquartered in Anchorage) that represents a growing number of Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), many of whom are also Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). They work tirelessly to ensure all federal agencies in Alaska meet the (no less than the 3%) federal requirement. Although there has been some movement, a number have not complied with this mandate.

HJR 16 will join other states in sending this notice to federal agencies urging them to fully implement the 3% federal procurement requirement. It is our duty to stand together with our Congressional Delegation and ensure these men and women who have sacrificed for us, receive the opportunities that federal law and executive orders promise.

This hearing will bring an awareness of the problem and ensure that every federal agency in Alaska meets or exceeds the 3% federal goal.

The timing of this resolution is important. The federal Administration with your support and early passage of this legislation will ensure full implementation of these federal laws and directives.