Cuomo signs bill creating disabled veteran-owned business-procurement program

Companies that disabled veterans own will provide six percent of the services involved in New York state contracts. That’s the goal of the Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed into law.

Cuomo’s office announced the signing in a news release.

The federal government has a three-percent goal for awarding contracts to veteran-owned businesses, Cuomo’s office notes.

The Empire State’s legislation creates the Division of Service Disabled Veterans’ Business Development within the New York State Office of General Services (OGS).

The division will oversee the program and certify eligible businesses, Cuomo’s office said.

It will assist eligible businesses in obtaining opportunities to participate in state procurements.

The state will finalize regulations and certification guidelines and establish the new organization over the next 30 days.

At the same time, OGS is recruiting for an executive director of service-disabled veterans’ business development. The position’s responsibilities include developing and implementing a statewide strategic plan to promote participating businesses, including compliance monitoring, Cuomo’s office said.

Gov. Cuomo has sent a “powerful message” to service-disabled veterans in signing this bill, RoAnn Destito, OGS commissioner, said in the news release.

“If you have an eligible small business, New York State wants you to be our partner. I am honored that this Division will be housed at OGS and look forward to working with the Division of Veterans’ Affairs and Empire State Development to provide new opportunities for these deserving businesses,” Destito said.

Destito previously represented the 116th district in the New York State Assembly, which includes Utica and Rome.

Those interested can find information about the program at veterans.ny.gov/business, including a contact form that businesses can use to begin the certification process and a list of frequently asked questions.

Businesses can also contact OGS directly by calling (844) 579-7570 or sending an email to veteransdevelopment@ogs.ny.gov., according to Cuomo’s office.

New York is home to nearly 900,000 veterans, 72 percent of whom have served during periods of conflict, the governor’s office said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com