WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Dr. Neal Dunn (FL-02) wrote a letter urging President Donald Trump to increase support for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). 

The Small Business Act requires the federal government to award 3 percent of its contracts to SDVOSBs, while the Veterans Business Act gives the Department of Veterans Affairs the authority to award further contracts to both VOSBs and SDVOSBs. Veteran-owned businesses rely on these contracts to survive, yet many times they are overlooked once the required quota is fulfilled.

“I know that with your leadership, the federal government can exceed award goals set by statute and prior administrations. However, if the tools and authorities available to your Administration for contracting with veteran-owned small businesses are found inadequate to meet or exceed award goals, I look forward to collaborating with you to develop and put forth appropriate solutions,” Dr. Dunn wrote.

Several local veteran-owned businesses raised concerns with Dr. Dunn that the government can be doing more to help. The letter highlights opportunities for the federal government to preference these small businesses and asks that the Administration set ambitious targets for contracting with VOSBs and SDVOSBs. 

Dr. Dunn is a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and spent 11 years serving as a surgeon in the U.S. Army.

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