Veterans get set-aside program

The Small Business Administration has created a program that allows contracting officers to set aside federal contracts for service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses.

SBA will gather public comments on the May 5 interim rule that established the program. The rule was published in the Federal Register.

Comments on the rule are due by July 6 at www.regulations.gov or via e-mail to SDVOSBCProgram@sba.gov. Comments should be identified with code RIN 3245-AF16.

Federal agencies are supposed to award 3 percent of contracting dollars to service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses but have fallen far short of that goal. Only 0.13 percent of all contracts went to these firms, according to the Federal Procurement Data System.