Relates to participation by service-connected disabled veterans and veterans with respect to state contracts

6 Co-sponsors

• Phil Boyle
• Terry Gipson
• Martin J. Golden
• Mark Grisanti
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Lee M. Zeldin

BILL NUMBER:S3038A

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law and the public authorities law, in relation to participation by service-connected disabled veterans and veterans with respect to state contracts

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to provide service-connected disabled veteran-owned businesses and veteran-owned businesses with increased opportunities in state contracting.

Summary of specific provisions

Creates new article 17-A of the executive law. Section 369 sets forth definitions to be used in this article. Section 369-a provides that a service-connected disabled veteran-owned business will be considered the lowest bid in a competitive bid for a commodity if their cost is within 15% of the lowest bid. For services, if the cost component of a service-connected disabled veteran-owned business bid is within 15% of the highest scoring bid then the cost components shall be treated as equal for the purposes of competitive scoring. Section 369-a also sets forth the certification requirements for service-connected disabled veterans-owned businesses and the duties of agencies and the division of small business.

Section 369-b provides that veteran-owned businesses will be considered the lowest bid in a competitive bid for a commodity if their cost is within 10% of the lowest bid. For services, if the cost component of a veteran-owned business bid is within 10% of the highest scoring bid then the cost components shall be treated as equal for the purposes of competitive scoring. Section 369-a also sets forth the certification requirements for veteran-owned businesses and the duties of agencies and the division of small business.

This bill would apply to state agencies, authorities, the State University of New York and the City University of New York.

Justification

Those who have served in the uniform of our military honorably are the true heroes of today. No matter where or when they have served, in the jungles of Vietnam or the desert in Iraq, or the mountains of Afghanistan, or stateside, these men and women have helped the rest of us enjoy the freedoms of our way of life.

It is imperative, therefore, that we as a state should find every opportunity to help veterans succeed in making a successful transition of someone in the military to a civilian, Part of this includes helping such veterans not only find jobs but help building careers as well.

One such emerging employment segment is business entrepreneurship, especially for service-connected disabled veterans. These veterans have sacrificed their physical and emotional health in the defense of this country.

This legislation is one-step in helping veterans in achieving their dream of becoming successful business owners, especially in light of these economic times and high unemployment rate for returning veterans.

By creating procurement opportunities for veterans and service-connected disabled veterans, we will not only help these individuals and companies succeed but these owners will again be contributing to our society and way of life.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill

Fiscal implications

None noted.

Effective date

180th day after it becomes a law.