Happy Wednesday good people. Hotter than all-get-out here in DC...but as many of you remind me...it is much, much hotter in Iraq and Afghanistan! Hoping you and yours are well.
For Today: "Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air." John Quincy Adams
The House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittees on Oversight and Investigations (O&I) and Economic Opportunity (EO), have sent Secretary Shinseki a letter regarding the CVE Verification Program. No doubt many good Veterans, good and honest Veterans who have served well and with honor, have been hurt by over-reaching, subjectivity, and distrust. Let us thank Congressman Bill Johnson and the O&I Subcommittee, and Chairman Marlin Stutzman, and the EO Subcommittee, for preparing this letter in our behalf and let us hope that Secretary Shinseki does something about this continuing problem. The letter is attached in pdf, and here are but two paragraphs:
“Unfortunately, regulations promulgated by VA for this important program appear to be inconsistent with the intent of P.L. 109-461. Given the volume of complaints we receive from businesses who have applied for verification ownership and control decisions adjudicated by the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE), the regulations too often fall outside a reasonable interpretation of that law. Most often, those interpretations involve issues surrounding ownership and control and unfortunately, it seems CVE staff base decisions on a suspicion that an applicant’s documentation does not qualify, rather than clear evidence of disqualification.
Information needed to demonstrate ownership and control must be the absolute minimum and must not overreach into veteran’s lives outside of their businesses. Further, CVE adjudication decisions must be traceable to regulation and existing case law. If CVE follows these basic tenants, valid businesses will seek to participate in the program and simultaneously reduce the resources needed to manage the program.”
A couple of examples:
(1) Currently, a retired United States Navy SEAL, Master Chief, is having a problem with re-verification. This Man served honorably and with courage in a number of hostile zones...his Rank, purple heart and military record and decorations attest to his character, and we thank him for his 22 years of active duty service. He was verified by CVE as a qualified construction SDVOSB. He had previously completed VA contracts/tasking, has VA contracts, obtained his Class "A" License, had earned additional certifications in the construction business and was clearly on a successful track...until he applied for "re-verification!" At re-verification this Veteran was denied because (CVE stated) his resume did not show sufficient expertise in the area of construction and such, and it was noted that his partner had more experience. Yep...he lost his ability to bid on VA work, his Company was yanked off of the CVE VIP database, and more. He is fighting this decision and has submitted a new resume in hopes of getting "back" into the Program. At present, Bloomberg News is doing a story on this particular matter. Quite sad folks, and as the attached letter says...we deserve and must have better. It is incomprehensible that we have been going through this faulty process for so long...and all the while suffering many friendly casualties......
(2) A CVE-verified, qualified, and successful Veteran also on the VA's Mentor-Protégé Program applies for re-verification. Prior to submitting his application he responded to a call for assistance in Haiti because of the terrible Earthquake. As a registered Nurse, this Veteran volunteers his services and he flys to Haiti with the U.S. Government and is given the title of a "Special Employee" at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). He returns to the USA, submits his re-verification package and is turned down by CVE for re-verification...because he is a "Federal Government employee"; his company is removed from the CVE VIP database, he is removed from the mentor-protégé program, and he looses the opportunity to bid on work. It took a while for this Veteran to get this matter taken care of, and again, Bloomberg News did a report on this Veteran's plight. He did get re-verified, but the fact remains, he should have never been put through the frustrating experience he was faced with.
There are all too many other instances of highly qualified, capable, honest, and professional SDVOSBs and VOSBs that have also been turned down for reasons outlined in the HVAC letter. Again, let us hope that VA CVE gets it right. I think we all know that one of the reasons many SDVOSBs and VOSBs did not attend the Detroit Conference was because of these very issues. Frustration ands anger runs very high within our small business ranks.
But, with all of this said....we do need the Verification Program; we need it because there are dishonest people out here that will bend the rules and lie and cheat to get CVE verification...let us help VA and our SDVOSB Program by turning these crooks into the proper authorities.
New Grants to Help End Veterans Homelessness. On July 17, VA announced the award of nearly $100 million in grants that will help approximately 42,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. The grants will go to 151 community agencies across 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Learn more
Input from my good friend Rob Wilkins, USAF, Ret, currently at Weider History Group. Wayne, recently, our magazine, Armchair General (Sept 2012 issue) conducted an exclusive interview with American Legion Commander Fang Wong related to his role as the Commander of this important VSO. Here is a link to the interview which you may include in a future edition of Veterans News:
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/10-questions-for-american-legion-national-commander-fang-wong.htm
VA Exceeds 2012 Goal To Improve On-Line Access To Benefits Information. http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2356
Prayers and blessings for you and your loved ones and for our dear Troops and their loved ones everywhere.
Sincerely.....Wayne
A welcoming home for our Troops.
