The state Office of General Services (OGS) has made substantial progress establishing New York’s Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) program in a short time and the program would benefit from the adoption of a comprehensive statewide plan for implementation, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
“OGS has made great strides putting in place a program that will benefit veterans, New York state and taxpayers alike,” DiNapoli said. “Going forward, OGS should develop a written strategic plan that includes milestones and participation goals to help ensure this worthwhile program continues on the right path. OGS leadership and the SDVOB Division are to be commended for effectively making this important initiative a priority.”
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act was signed into law in May 2014 to help eligible veteran-owned businesses play a greater role in the state’s economy by increasing their participation in state government contracting opportunities. The act establishes a 6 percent goal for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses’ participation in state contracts.
To qualify as a SDVOB, business owners must have received a service-related disability rating of 10 percent or greater from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
In 2015, OGS launched the program with a pilot group of 10 agencies and authorities it believed were best equipped to use SDVOBs in the program’s first year. During 2015, all 10 entities were expected to submit plans and quarterly reports to OGS’s Division of Service-Disabled Veterans’ Business Development.
The division also released rules and regulations; established an online database of certified SDVOBs; set up systems to process applications, certify eligible businesses and monitor their usage; and developed controls to respond to SDVOB certification requests.
Visit www.osc.state.ny.us/audits/allaudits/093016/15s81.pdf to read the full report.
