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All, I only skimmed but this may pertain to Lisa Wolford's issue. Marcy
Marcelyn "Marcy" Atwood 202-340-0070 fhorn2nav@hotmail.com From: wgatewood@qualitysupport.com To: wgatewood@qualitysupport.com Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 09:13:41 -0400 Subject: Possible FSS Small Business Set-Asides Government Wide - Federal Register 76 of Novemebr 2, 2011 Greetings folks. See attached and please read it very carefully.
Pretty ironic that in yesterday's Veterans News I would state that VA cannot restrict SDVOSB set-aside purchases to SDVOSB FSS Holders only!
Well, please see attached Federal Register (INTERIM RULE), that would allow such activity Government wide and cause a major change to FAR, Part 19. Although I am sure the Administration and OFPP meant well in this
approach, it could in fact "divide and conquer" we Veterans and others that are screaming for total Vets First at VA "over FSS Schedules!" Remember--PL 109-461 and GAO say, Vet First!
For we FSS holders (I am one), this would be a pretty sweet opportunity, as the Government (to include VA, could set aside FSS requirements for SDVOSBs and all other categories of small business under FAR Part 19).
The problem I see is this folks....a few FSS holders (myself included), may end up with the Lion Share of the set-asides and the dollars representing the 3% goal for our SDVOSBs and the 3% SDVOSB and 5% VOSB goals
at VA under our specific mandate PL 109-461. This may apply across the board for the Government wide 23% small business goal. (I have read the Interim Rule and hopefully did not miss any clause that says otherwise).
Tell you my friends....this would be great for some of us, but bad news for others that do not have an FSS schedule; in fact, a huge majority of small businesses, SDVOSBs and others, would be left out in the cold.
This idea (as I see it) would in fact hurt start-ups and folks without FSS schedules; and remember folks, it takes two years to get on an FSS schedule!!
PLEASE read the attached INTERIM Rule...and if you do not agree with it...let your congressional people know right now! I am hoping that our Veterans and other small business folks can see the issue at hand here.
Now, if this initiative restricts the percentages of dollars that one agency could spend on set-aside FSS purchases than that could be a win-win. But without any restrictions' on the dollar threshold, our non-FSS
holders may very well suffer.
The ball is in your court folks.....get involved or let the dice fall where they fall. It takes more than just a few Vets and other small business advocates to get involved in these matters. If you care...get involved.
With this said, I have had a number of Vets e-mail me and state that "I have contracts here and there...I cannot afford any retribution...I cannot afford to jeopardize my position with this or that agency!" So...they remain quiet and a few do the work and
take the heat.
Best to you all and Godspeed.........Wayne
Wayne M. Gatewood, Jr. USMC (Ret)
President/CEO
Quality Support, Inc.
A Service Disabled Veteran and Minority Owned-Small Business
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 220
Landover, MD 20785
301-459-3777 EXT 101 - Fax 301-459-6961
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated
by their Nation." - George Washington |
Attachment:
Federal Register Vol 76, Nov 2, 2011.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document